By Our Reporter 

SOROTI – Road users in Soroti district have been urged to exercise greater caution and responsibility while on the road, as local leaders raise the alarm over a surge in accidents—many of them fatal and involving young people.

Speaking during the burial of Richard Eyogu, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) chairperson of Onyorai village, Emmanuel Ocen, an LC3 aspirant for Tubur sub-county, delivered a heartfelt appeal to both riders and drivers. Ocen decried the increasing recklessness on the roads, attributing many tragic incidents to stress, pride, and negligence among motorcyclists.

“Some of these riders operate under immense stress or ride with a sense of pride, forgetting that life is fragile. We have lost too many young people to accidents that could have been avoided,” Ocen said, calling for a change in attitude and behavior on the roads.

He also addressed families, particularly women, encouraging them to be more understanding and supportive of their husbands and sons who operate motorcycles (commonly known as boda-bodas) to earn a living. Ocen emphasized that reducing household stress could significantly improve the riders’ mental focus and reduce the likelihood of accidents.

“We must also remind our men not to ride when they are unwell or too tired. Being in good health is vital for their own safety and that of others,” he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, Emmanuel Ekotu, the LC3 chairperson of Oculoi sub-county, pointed to excessive alcohol consumption and unsafe riding behaviors—locally referred to as “bining”—as major contributors to the accidents in the region. He cautioned against loitering by the roadside, particularly in areas with heavy traffic, noting the danger it poses to pedestrians and riders alike.

Regional Traffic Officer for East Kyoga, Mathias Okwir, also weighed in, urging all road users to stay sober and avoid stress while using the road. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect and responsible road usage, warning that driving under the influence of alcohol or in a distressed state remains a serious hazard.

“These roads are for all of us. Whether riding, driving, or walking, we must all play our part in making them safe,” Okwir stressed.

As Soroti grapples with rising road accident figures, these calls for discipline, sobriety, and mindfulness offer a timely reminder of the human cost of recklessness—and the collective effort needed to preserve life on the road.