Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) has revealed that a train has a right of way at all level crossings. The revelation was made by Mr. John Linonn, the spokesperson of URC.

A level crossing is a place where a railway line and a road meet each other on the same level.

On Sunday, there was a fatal accident which involved an SUV, a motor vehicle registration number Mercedes Benz registration number UBJ 053N and Locomotive Number 7315. Three people (all occupants of the SUV) were confirmed to have died in the accident.

The deceased included Norbert Tizikara, 32, an architect with the Uganda Police Construction Unit and the proprietor of Redion Designs, Aturinda Caroline. Caroline was an LDC student who was scheduled to graduate on 29th July, 2022 and another unidentified person.

“Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is saddened by the accident that involved one of our Locomotive Number 7315 with an SUV, a motor vehicle at the Nakawa Level Crossing that resulted in loss of life and damage of property at 03:30am on Sunday, 10th July 2022. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the deceased,” Lenonn said.

At the time of the incident, Lenonn said the locomotive had departed Namanve Industrial Park after delivering cargo to the respective clients and was enroute to Kampala station.

He said URC has instituted internal investigations and is fully cooperating with Uganda Police Force investigators to find out what exactly happened. “Appropriate action will be taken after the findings are released.”

URC urged all road users to always exercise caution when approaching railway crossings. “Safety in railway operations is paramount. At every level crossing, motorists are advised to keep a two-meter distance from the line whether a train is approaching or not,” he said.

“Section 41(5) of URC Act 1992, gives a train right of way at all level crossings. It should however be noted that this provision of the law ensures that trains and all road users coexist. Unique circumstances were taken into consideration under which trains operate, one of them being the inability to bring a train to a dead stop,” he said.

Stories Continues after ad

Police has warned dealers in second hand clothes against selling of camouflage clothing.

Camouflage clothing usually have patterns of mottled brown or green and brown colours, considered to be strictly for military or enforcement officers. The clothing could be; hats, shirts, pants, shorts and jackets among others.

Fred Enanga, the Police spokesperson said in all the operations carried out in the hotspot areas of Kyengera, Busega, Nateete, Nansana, Nabweru, Kawempe, Makindye and Mukono, they have recovered camouflage clothes being used by the criminal gangs for robbery.

“As the Joint Security Agencies, we continue to receive concerns over the sale of camouflage clothing by dealers of second-hand clothes, especially to criminal-minded persons who are now using them for criminal purposes,” Enanga said.

“We are taking a tougher stance once persons are found wearing or dealing in camouflage clothings in public.”

Members of the public have been advised to refrain from the wearing of any items which may be perceived by authorities as military in nature.

Stories Continues after ad

City tycoon and Ruparelia Group Chairman Sudhir Ruparelia has donated Shs20 million and a new ambulance to two Rotary Clubs of Nsangi and Nsambya.

Nsangi received Shs10 million and a new ambulance while cancer ward at Nsambya Hospital also recieved Shs10 million through the rotary club of Nsambya.

“I gave Shs10 million for cancer ward at Nsambya Hospital and also gave Shs10 million for maternity ward at Nsangi and one new ambulance vehicle at the same club,” Sudhir said.

Sudhir who was the guest of honor at the installation of the Club’s visionary President Kigoye Yusuf at an event held at Molly’s Place Nsangi, commended the Rotarians for their charity works aimed at supporting vulnerable Ugandans.

”I thank you for your charity and working tirelessly to change the Ugandans’ ways of living mostly the vulnerable. Thank you very much and am supporting your good cause of building the hospital with an ambulance, and Shs10 million,” said Sudhir.

Quality Chemicals Limited boss Emmanuel Katongole also a Rotarian praised Sudhir for his big contributions not only to Rotarians but to the entire country. He recalled the huge financial and food contribution Sudhir offered to Ugandans during Covid-19 lockdowns that saved many who would perish in their houses due to hunger.

”In a special way, I want to thank our guest of honor Sudhir for being a parent to many Ugandans, as Rotarians we can’t thank you enough for the huge support you have extended to millions of needy Ugandans. Members here you remember the big contribution Sudhir made during Covid-19 lockdown days, you’re a special Ugandan Doctor, thank you so much.”

Total Donation Given by Ruparelia Foundation; Shs10 million for maternity ward to Rotary Nsangi, Shs10 million for cancer ward at Nasambya hospital and one Ambulance for Rotary Nsangi.

Stories Continues after ad

A total of 366 people were killed in road accidents during the month of June 2022, according to the police report.

1,825 accidents in total occurred in the 30 days and out of these, 321 accidents were fatal, 995 were serious and 509 were minor.

According to the Traffic Police Spokesperson Nampiima Faridah, 1,512 were the accident victims during the same period in which 366 people died and 1,146 sustained injuries.

In the past week, 2nd July to 9th July 2022, 328 accidents occurred and out of these, 62 were fatal, 180 were serious and 86 were minor.

There were 355 accident victims in the 7 days in which 89 people died and 266 sustained injuries.

The most and common cause of road accidents has been attributed to over speeding.

Nampiima urged all drivers to drive within the prescribed speed limits so that they have full control of their vehicles in case of any eventuality.

“We have realised that people don’t take serious the issue of transferring ownership of motor vehicles this therefore is a reminder to all motor vehicle owners to ensure the right records are reflected at all times,” she warned.

“Respect all road users. Traffic directorate reminds all road users to be vigilant while using the roads and we call upon all road users to change their attitude while using the road.”

The public has been urged to report traffic violation on a toll free number 0800199099.

Stories Continues after ad

Former Radio Presenter and Disc Jockey Alexander Michael Felix Mukonzi Ndawula has been laid to rest. Ndawula died on 6^th June 2022 at Nsambya Hospital.

He was laid to rest yesterday at Kyamaganda Village, Lwengo district.

Born in New York in the United States in 1963, Ndawula relocated to Uganda when his father passed on when he was only eight year.

Ndawula later joined St. Mary’s College Kisubi but one year later went to Nairobi, then Namasagali for his high school and finally Nakawa Technical Institute from where he did Marketing.

In an interview with Daily Monitor, he said his hobbies rotated around radio presenting and deejaying and this shaped his future.

Ndawula, a star of private FM stations in Uganda, was a name to reckon with on Capital FM and Sanyu FM in the 90s and 2000s with his breakfast shows.

Alongside Chris Ireland and DJ Chazzo, Ndawula were the thing of the early days of FM radio in the country but later joined Kisementi based Capital FM where he presented the morning show.

He later presented the Dance Force and Sundowner on the same station where he ended his career.

Ndawula called in quits after 40 years of service on radio in 2017.

Stories Continues after ad