By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
RAKAI
Journalists have accused the government of failing to erect and maintain road signs on major highways, a lapse they say has contributed to the rising number of fatal accidents across the country.
The concerns were raised on Sunday during the burial of Julius Kitone, a journalist with NBS TV, who died in a road crash on Friday evening.
Kitone was among eight people who perished in an accident that occurred in Sanga, Mbarara City, along the Mbarara–Lyantonde Highway on February 13. The crash involved a Toyota Hiace registration number UBQ U06U in which he was travelling and a Mercedes Benz Actros trailer registration number KDQ 668L/ZH 5133.
He was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kiteredde Cell, Magabi Ward, Ntantamuki Town Council, Kooki County, Rakai District.
Speaking at the funeral, Daily Monitor journalist Abubaker Lubowa faulted the government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, for what he described as failure to install clear road signage.
“There are no sign posts on the roads to guide drivers,” Lubowa said, adding that the absence of visible traffic signs has left motorists vulnerable, especially on highways.
He also raised concern over reckless driving by operators of so-called “drone cars”, privately owned vehicles operating as public transport, and urged authorities to reinstate mandatory speed limits.
“We might throw all stones at the government, but we (the road users) are also to blame. When we were coming from Kampala this morning, we found another accident involving a drone car and a Toyota Fielder around Maya. Drone car drivers are overtaking and over-speeding. I think the government should reinstate strict speed limits,” he said.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, acknowledged the challenge of missing road signs but attributed it to vandalism.
“I agree with Lubowa on the issue of road signs. It is the government’s responsibility to install them, but when they are installed, they are vandalised by some individuals in our communities,” Owoyesigyire said.
He urged members of the public to protect public infrastructure and report anyone found vandalising road signs.
Meanwhile, Ismail Ssembatya, who led a delegation of journalists from Next Media Services (NBS TV) where Kitone worked, described the deceased as a dedicated and ambitious professional.
Ssembatya revealed that by the time of his death, Kitone had secured an international job with the United Nations and was preparing to travel for a peace mission in Sudan.
“He had requested annual leave to go for a UN peace-making mission in Sudan,” Ssembatya said.
The revelation comes amid speculation that Kitone was among journalists reportedly facing possible layoffs at the station, including Luganda news anchor Josephine Namakumbi.
Colleagues and mourners described Kitone as hardworking, selfless and calm, noting that his storytelling left a lasting impact on society. Journalists contributed over Shs5 million to support the family with funeral arrangements.
