Residents in Busia District, Uganda, are calling on the government to construct flyovers at three schools located along the 104-kilometre Busia-Lumino-Majanji highway. The schools, Sifuyo Primary School, Busyabala Primary School, and Dabani Girls Nursery and Primary School, are situated in areas where the highway poses a significant risk to learners. The residents claim that the current road setup has led to several cases of children being involved in road accidents.
The Busia District Senior Education Officer, Charles Okumu, confirmed that residents had repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of learners crossing the highway. He stated that several cases of children being involved in road accidents had been reported this year as they attempted to cross between different sections of the school premises. Okumu revealed that the district had started seeking support from stakeholders and development partners in neighbouring districts to address the problem.
The head teacher of Dabani Girls Nursery and Primary School, Mary Martha Naigaga, reported that several pupils had been involved in road accidents since the completion of the 104-kilometre Musita-Mayuge-Lumino-Majanji-Busia road. She stated that most incidents occurred during morning and evening hours when learners crossed the highway to report to school or return to their dormitories. Naigaga disclosed that the school had registered three cases this year in which learners sustained leg fractures after being knocked down by speeding motorcycles.
A former head teacher of Busyabala Primary School, Alex Ogalo, expressed concerns about the school's location, where four major roads connect to different directions, exposing learners to traffic as they move between school premises. He appealed to the government to intervene and provide a safer way for children to cross the roads. Ogalo's sentiments were echoed by Regina Erumbi, a resident, who shared her personal experience of her granddaughter being involved in an accident while attempting to cross the highway.
Residents, including Caroline Ajambo, noted that the Busia-Lumino-Majanji road had become increasingly busy, making it difficult for learners to cross safely. Ajambo also observed that the zebra crossing at Dabani had faded, further increasing the risk of accidents. However, she expressed hope that a flyover would provide a safer crossing point for learners while allowing motorists to continue using the road without obstruction.
The chairperson of the Parents-Teachers Association at Dabani Girls Nursery and Primary School, Daniel Barasa, revealed that the school management had engaged various stakeholders in an effort to find a lasting solution. However, their efforts had not yielded the desired results, prompting them to appeal to the government to intervene and protect learners. Barasa's concerns were supported by John Charles Namayindi, the Busia District Chairperson.
The Busia District Chairperson, John Charles Namayindi, confirmed that the district had received several complaints from the three schools over the increasing number of children being knocked down by motorists. He stated that local leaders were engaging development partners to seek support in addressing the safety concerns and preventing further accidents. The district authorities are now working to find a solution to this critical issue affecting learners in the area.
Key points
- - The three affected schools are Sifuyo Primary School, Busyabala Primary School, and Dabani Girls Nursery and Primary School. - Several cases of children being involved in road accidents have been reported this year. - Residents are urging the government to construct flyovers at the schools to reduce road accidents involving learners and motorists.
