On several occasions, traffic officers have been seen around Kampala directing flow even in areas where there are traffic lights. This sometimes annoys road users who have to wait for long periods waiting for the traffic officer to let them go. For some drivers it can feel like the decision on how long motorists are kept waiting, or how long traffic on a specific lane is allowed to flow, are arbitrary decisions made on the whims of the traffic officers. However, the Spokesperson of the Directorate Charles Ssebambulidde said the decisions made by the traffic officers at this intersections are made based on a good understanding of the traffic flow and they should be respected. “A traffic officer’s signal takes precedence to any signal given by the traffic lights. So when you see a traffic officer at the traffic light signaling you to stop even if the traffic light is showing green that go or he is signaling you to go and it shows red; his presence and his signal take precedence according to the law.” Said, Charles Ssebambulidde – Spokesperson, Directorate of Traffic Police.
Ssebambulidde said the traffic officers continue to man traffic along Jinja road and Entebbe road because these areas still have older traffic lights which are not fully automated but he said that they only direct traffic during peak hours. “I must repeat that it’s not possible that during peak hours traffic can be controlled by the lights at those junctions I have mentioned without the intervention of the Police.” Said Ssebambulidde.
The traffic lights at places like Sir Apollo Kagwa road, Wandegeya and Yusuf Lule road are modern traffic lights which are fully automated hence there is no need of traffic officers to assist in directing traffic. “We give you an example of Wandegeya, Makerere main gate, Kyezi Jonhson junction if you go there these days you really find sanity. The problem is if there are many junctions which are not regulated and flow comes at the same time, definitely the main place where lights are will be overwhelmed.” Some of the road users NTV talked to, gave their opinions on who directs traffic better between the lights and the traffic officers. “There was a time when traffic officers left the roads because of complaints that they are the cause of the jam. On that day, the cars were up to 2am.” “Sometimes, the cars are stuck near Shoprite for long periods, I think they should coordinate to bring about smooth traffic flow.”
Ssebambulidde believed that if all the junctions and intersections around Kampala had traffic lights, the issue of traffic jams would be significantly reduced. He has also called road users especially boda-boda cyclists to respect traffic lights where they have been left to operate with traffic officers.
