Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke has warned boda boda riders against crossing flooded roads, saying waterlogged sections may conceal open manholes, construction hazards and other dangers that could cause accidents.
Rusoke said police had observed riders attempting to navigate flooded sections despite the risks, endangering themselves and their passengers.
“Some reckless rider, you find him riding towards where everybody knows that would be a dangerous place. Then the motorcycle goes,” Rusoke said.
He questioned why passengers sometimes allow riders to take such risks instead of insisting on safer routes.
“The most astonishing thing is the passenger who cannot control this boda boda rider,” Rusoke said, urging passengers to speak up whenever riders expose them to danger.
The police spokesperson also cautioned road users about flooded roads under construction, where uncovered manholes, excavations and other obstructions may be hidden beneath the water, making it difficult for riders to assess the road ahead.
He appealed to those responsible for construction sites, compounds and other public areas to secure dangerous openings and ensure they are properly covered to prevent accidents.
Rusoke further urged members of the public to report accidents promptly through the Uganda Police Force’s official communication channels to enable officers to respond and conduct rescue operations.
The warning comes amid heavy rains that have caused flooding in several areas, raising concerns about the safety of motorists, pedestrians and boda boda passengers.
Rusoke urged road users to avoid crossing flooded sections where the water’s depth and the condition of the road cannot be established, warning that attempting to navigate such areas could have serious consequences.