Police have relaunched their traffic operation called Fika Salama along the Kampala-Masaka road amid a new surge in the number of road accidents.
Fika Salama reloaded, as the relaunched operation is called, took many drivers on Masaka road by surprise and scores were arrested for different offences ranging from speeding to lack of driving permits.
The Kampala-Masaka highway has been the scene of horrific accidents particularly between 2015 and 2016 prompting the police to launch a traffic operation called Fika Salama to enforce discipline on some major highways. By December 2016, the operation was being hailed as a success as the number of fatalities on roads reduced.
However, the operation has slowly lost steam in recent months, which has led to an increase in accidents again.
The police spokesperson for Katonga region, Philip Mukasa says more than 10 people have so far died since the beginning of the year along the Kampala-Masaka highway. One of the worst accidents claimed the lives of six members of one family on Sunday 25 June at Kalandazi in Mpigi district.
A visit to some of the spots along the Kampala-Masaka highway where the operation was being carried out revealed long queues, some stretching almost half a kilometre. The traffic officers on site checked one vehicle after another, without exception.
For those whose documents were in doubt, technology came in handy, as the the traffic officers had tablets at hand to verify the authenticity of the documents.
Police say that the operation will continue to look out for more traffic offences.