Uganda’s Parliament has today observed a moment of silence in honour of Mark Bahati, a man who has been a driver in the office of the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, but perished in a road accident on Monday, November 14, 2022.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ruhinda North in Mitooma District, said Bahati’s death was shattering to the family. “My brother in law Mr. Bahati Mark has died in an accident [Monday] morning. We are shattered as a family. He was our pillar. Always there for us. Burial arrangements will be announced later. Keep us in your prayers,” wrote the Deputy Speaker.
In her condolence message, Speaker Anita Annet Among called on road users to be more responsible. “We send our condolences to our brother Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa and the larger family of Mr. Bahati Mark who lost his life earlier today. We need to be more responsible on our roads and put an end to many lives lost because of recklessness. May the Lord grant him eternal rest!” she wrote.
During Tuesday, November 15 plenary, Speaker Among emphasized her calls for efforts to make roads safer. She urged leaders to stop politicizing efforts to streamline operations of boda bodas in the country.
“This House has raised concern over the urgent need to stem road carnage. The safety of our roads depends on us the road users, vehicles/cycles and road conditions. These factors influence road safety separately or in combination,” said Among.
“While government continues to devise means of effectively regulating boda boda operations, a lot of the effort has been on enforcement of safety standards especially use of helmets and reflector jackets. The success of such operations is usually hampered by un-necessary politicization. Road safety knows no political affiliation and anybody can be a victim. Hence the need for collective effort.”
A few months ago, an ex-MP was killed in a Northern bypass accident, while Buhweju MP Francis Mwijukye survived an accident and suspected poisoning. (See Details Here and There).
