By Henry Okello
TORORO
Residents of Tororo district have protested the alarming increase in traffic accidents along the notorious Mile 5 section of the Tororo-Mbale road.
The demonstration that took place on Friday morning, 22nd August, 2025 was spearheaded by Eunice Akoth, a district woman councilor representing Mukujju and Akadoit Sub-counties, who highlighted the urgent need for government intervention to address safety hazards on the road.
Over the past month alone, the Mile 5 stretch has witnessed a tragic surge in fatalities, with seven lives lost, most of whom were boda boda riders.
On Wednesday, 21st, 2025 another boda boda rider met a similar fate, prompting outrage and fear within the community.
Local leaders and residents argue that the road’s narrowness and lack of adequate safety measures are to blame.
“This road is too narrow to accommodate the heavy traffic that passes through here,” Akoth stated. “We are calling on the government to install speed humps and proper road signs to prevent further tragedies.”
John Okware, a boda boda rider, expressed his frustration with the blame placed on riders following accidents. “Whenever an incident occurs, we are always the ones blamed, but it is the car drivers who often disregard safety regulations,” he asserted.
Further compounding the issue is the presence of nearby Cement factories, whose large trailers often block significant portions of the road.
Doreen Aboth, who recently lost a relative in an accident, voiced her anger at the situation. “The factories need to be held accountable. Their trailers take up too much space and create an unsafe environment for all road users,” she lamented.
As the protests unfolded, the residents united in their call for immediate action to make the Mile 5 stretch safer for everyone.
The community is hopeful that their voices will be heard and that the government will take necessary steps to prevent any more senseless loss of life on their roads.
