Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | AFP | Thirty-eight people have died after the bus they were travelling in plunged off an embankment in northern Ethiopia, state media said on Tuesday. “A total of 38 people, (28 male, and 10 female) were killed in the accident,” state-affiliated Fana Broadcast Corporate said of …
Read More »Byandala tells court he acted on ‘expert advice’ in Mukono Katosi road Saga
Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | Former Minister of Works and Transport Engineer Abraham Byandala has defended himself before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala for his alleged role in the Mukono-Katosi road saga that saw government lose over Sh24 billion to contractor. Byandala and six others are accused of embezzling the …
Read More »Did you know? Phone use even when parked by road in France is illegal
Kampala, Uganda | AGENCIES | It’s illegal to hold your phone on public roads in France even when you’re pulled over to the side of the road, whether you’re blocking traffic or not. A recent high court ruling means that taking what some consider to be a safe step — pulling …
Read More »COMMENT: Corruption in Road sector
Could remedy be e-governance? COMMENT | CISSY KAGABA | The Government of Uganda has since 2008 prioritised road construction and maintenance by committing a substantial part of the budget towards the same. Uganda spends over Shs3.3 trillion ($1b) annually on public infrastructure and roads still receive a lion’s share of the …
Read More »On the road with UNRA’s Kagina
Driving 700km in two days to see Uganda’s critical oil roads project Kampala, Uganda | RONALD MUSOKE | Allen Kagina, the executive director of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is a prayerful woman. She prays at meetings, journeys, meals, and anything. Now, however, she possibly needs prayers more than ever …
Read More »THIS WEEK: Truck drivers decry new road regulations, penalties set
THIS WEEK: Truck drivers decry new road regulations, penalties set Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In a bid to protect roads, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) recently released new rules on road use that take effect next month. The new regulations state that errant users face fines and imprisonment …
Read More »Katosi road scam hearing flops
Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | Hearing of defence evidence in the Sh24.7 billion Katosi case against former works minister Eng.Abraham Byandala flopped on Monday after one of the lawyers failed to turn up. The Anti-Corruption Court last week ordered Byandala to defend himself saying that prosecution presented with sufficient evidence …
Read More »At least 34 killed in Madagascar bus crash: officials
Antananarivo, Madagascar | AFP | At least 34 people died when a bus carrying young Christian worshippers plunged down a steep ravine in central Madagascar, police and hospital officials said Tuesday. Police said 12 badly burned bodies were counted at the site, 70 kilometres (45 miles) north of the capital Antananarivo. …
Read More »PAKISTAN: 123 dead, more than 100 injured in oil tanker fire
Ahmedpur East, Pakistan | AFP | At least 123 people were killed and scores injured in a fire that erupted after an oil tanker overturned in central Pakistan early Sunday and crowds rushed to collect fuel, an official said. The tragedy came less than a day before Pakistan was due …
Read More »Kenya bus accident kills 19
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | At least 19 people were killed in a crash between a bus and two trucks early Saturday in Kenya, police said. The accident comes just weeks after another collision killed dozens in Kenya, which has notoriously dangerous roads. “We had a bad accident this morning …
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