By Shivan Tuhirirwe,
KAMPALA
The ministry of health in conjunction with the Directorate of Traffic and road safety of Uganda Police Force and works ministry have announced that they have re-introduced breathalyzers also known as “Kawunyemu” to detect drivers on the road under influence of alcohol.
Henry Mwebesa, the director of general health services at the ministry says that the reinstatement is a countermeasure against deaths due to road traffic accidents caused by drunk drivers.
“MOH recommends immediate re-introduction of breathalyzers to test alcohol levels consumed by motorists,” he said
At least 40 percent of the fatal road accidents in Uganda are caused by drinking and driving, according to traffic reports. These affect both road users, children and non drunk drivers on the road.
Kawunyemu have been previously suspended from use on the road to prevent possible risks of spreading COVID-19 virus. But, Mwebesa says that with the significant reduction in the disease cases, the MOH has evaluated the risk of getting COVID- I 9 through Breathalyzers and finds it very negligible.
“UPF has confirmed that each client will use a separate. sealed and disposable tube to blow through the Breathalyzer,” he added
Mwebesa said enforcement of this new directive commenced on Friday August 11 urging the drivers not to drink and drive and to cooperate with the Uganda Police Force.
In Uganda, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is illegal. If one is caught driving under the influence of say alcohol or drugs, the penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol above the prescribed limit on conviction is UGX 6,000,000 or maximum imprisonment of three years or both.
The law also provides that only a uniformed police officer can require a driver to accompany him or her to a police station or hospital or clinic to provide a blood sample if the officer has reasonable cause to suspect the driver of having alcohol or drugs in his or her body, suspects the driver of having committed a traffic offence while the vehicle was in motion.
