Mao’s motorcade accident sparks call for parental oversight on roads

9 December 2025, 3:19 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The motorcade of the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Democratic Party (DP) President General, Hon Norbert Mao, was recently involved in an accident, although the minister’s vehicle remained undamaged. The incident has reignited concerns about road safety, with many attributing it to speeding.

In response, the Chairman of Namayiba Taxi Park, Faizo Sebirumbi Lule, urged parents to exercise caution before allowing their children to drive during the ongoing third-term holiday. “If such accidents can happen to professional drivers, what about an individual, especially a student, who has just been given a vehicle by a parent to go out and have fun?” he questioned.

Sebirumbi highlighted that many young people are seen driving on major roads during the third term, often without having completed the proper process to obtain a driver’s licence. “I don’t believe all of them have the necessary qualifications. Parents must be very careful because once lives are lost, they cannot be restored,” he said, emphasising the need for guidance alongside parental care.

Road accidents tend to rise in December, with police reports attributing most cases to reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. The Uganda Police continue to advise all prospective drivers to attend formal driving training, noting that this is key to preventing reckless driving in developing countries like Uganda, where the majority of the population is under 30 years of age.

Adding his voice, Augustine Kanyike, a parent of six children residing in Kampala Central Division, agreed that children should not be given vehicles without obtaining a driver’s licence. However, he stressed the importance of ongoing parental supervision even for licensed drivers. “We live in a civilised world. If your child is 18 years or older, it is fine to take them to driving school and later secure a driving licence. But parents must keep a keen eye on these young people. Set rules such as no one drives without parental knowledge, and be consistent. Otherwise, they will take the car keys when you are not home,” Kanyike advised.

The recent incident serves as a reminder of the crucial role parents play in ensuring the safety of their children and others on Uganda’s roads.