KIKUUBE – Members of Parliament (MPs) from Kikuube district have tasked Kikuube district council to find a solution to the increasing accidents caused by Hoima Sugar Limited, which they said have claimed several lives.
The law makers who included; Francis Kazini, the Buhaguzi area MP and Florence Natumanya the Kikuube district Woman MP made the remarks during a special council sitting which was organized to pay tribute to the fallen male district councilor for Kikuube town council.
Councillor Nyakoojo Biraali, who was in his 30’s died in an accident after he rammed into a stationary numberless tractor Mahindra 9200 model that was parked by the road side loaded with sugarcane.
The incident occurred at Mairirwe village in Buhimba sub-county along Hoima-Fort Portal road as the deceased was moving from Hoima town heading to Kikuube district.
According to eyewitnesses, the tractor that was heading to the sugar factory in Kiswaza village Kiziranfumbi sub-county got a mechanical problem and the driver parked it alongside the road and as the councilor was heading home, rammed into it and died on spot.
The councilor’s death comes after several accidents caused by drivers of Hoima Sugar Limited; one other recent incident was the LCI Chairperson of Ikoba village in Kabwoya sub-county, Julius Byenkya and one Joab, a staff member with Kikuube district local government.
Speaking during the council meeting, Francis Kazini demanded Kikuube district council to enact a by-law which will help in regulating all lorries carrying sugarcane in the area.
Kazini expressed concern that most of the company tractors are in dangerous mechanical conditions and some of the drivers of these tractors are not professional.
He added that all the tractors have no reflectors and lights and they always move at night which makes it easy for them to cause accidents.
“You can go and see where the tractor that killed our fellow councilor was parked; you will notice, it has no light, reflectors and number plate. How can such a tractor be allowed on our road? I often find tractors moving at night without lights and the drivers use small torches,” Kazini explained to council.
He further said, there is a need for council to develop a by-law which will restrict tractors transporting sugarcane from moving at night, all the tractors must have reflectors and lights and also ensure that all the drivers have permits before being around to use our roads.
“We need to save the lives our people, if we have a by-law, the council will work with police to see that no tractor goes on the road without adhering to the restrictions,” he advised.
MP Natumanya also said that a remedy is needed to be put in place to reduce accidents which are finishing people every day and night.
“It is too much and so we should find a solution to this problem. We need development partners but we shouldn’t have development at the expense of our people. I want to tell you every week, I receive two phone calls telling me that someone has been killed in an accident related to Hoima Sugar Limited.”
She explained that the deceased has been one of the people complaining about the increasing accidents with Hoima Sugar Limited but nothing was done adding this the time the district leaders should act.
Kikuube district boss, Peter Banura, blamed the traffic police for not doing enough to fight accidents with the company. He noted traffic officers are always harassing boda-bodas and drivers of small vehicles and allowing these tractors with a lot of traffic issues to move on the roads.
He promised to engage police to forge away forward and he described the deceased as a committed politician who worked hard to ensure that his people got access to services. He also noted that the sudden death of the councilor should teach people to be tolerant and to love one another.
Councilors led by Alex Byesi of Kabwoya and Deo Karubanga of Buhimba sub-county suggested that the deceased should be honored by naming one of the streets in Kiziranfumbi sub-county after him.
They also suggested that the council passes a resolution seeking to support the children of the deceased.
The councillors unanimously supported the motion and it will be discussed in the next council session.
Annet Asera, the councilor for Bugambe sub-county and Suzan Kabasindi of Buhimba Town Council among others said, the deceased deserved being honored for his contribution towards the development of Kikuube.
Andrew Milton, the Kikuube district Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) also expressed sadness about the death of Nyakoojo and described the deceased as a committed politician who loved to fight for the rights of others.
https://thecooperator.news/hoima-sugar-company-limited-compensates-four-families/
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