The incident involving Mercy Timbitwire Bashisha, who was caught on camera assaulting a traffic officer, is yet another glaring example of the growing impunity among Uganda’s elite. It is disgraceful that individuals like Bashisha believe they can flout the law and evade accountability, all because of their perceived status. This vile act at the Lugogo traffic lights exposes the rot within the upper class — a group that feels entitled to bend the rules while ordinary Ugandans suffer under a broken system.
The statistics are shocking: private vehicles accounted for the highest number of road crashes in 2023, with 2,0210 accidents. These figures suggest that those who can afford luxury cars are not only more prone to accidents but also to recklessness and negligence. Bashisha’s behavior is a stark reminder of the arrogance prevalent among Uganda’s wealthy and well-connected. What should have been a simple traffic check escalated into an ugly confrontation, simply because someone thought they were above the law.
Let us be honest — this is not an isolated incident. Too often, we see Uganda’s elite use their connections to bypass traffic regulations, intimidate officers, and endanger the lives of fellow citizens. Why should they respect laws meant for public safety when they know they can buy their way out of trouble? The law should apply equally to all, but Bashisha’s actions reflect a troubling culture of privilege, where the powerful walk free while the rest of Uganda is subject to the full force of the law.
Road safety in Uganda is already a critical issue. Every day, we hear of accidents that could have been avoided if only drivers had adhered to the rules. Yet, when those entrusted with the privilege of driving act recklessly, what hope is there for a safer future? The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, hit the nail on the head: “This incident is a stark reminder of the consequences of reckless behavior on our roads.” Onyango’s statement, though truthful, is an understatement. Reckless behavior on Ugandan roads is not just a problem — it is an epidemic, one driven by the arrogance of the privileged few.
But where does this sense of entitlement come from? Why do Uganda’s elites think they are above the law? It is because the system has allowed them to believe so. Too many times, we have seen cases like Bashisha’s swept under the rug, with the perpetrators walking away unpunished. This impunity must end. Mercy Timbitwire Bashisha must be held accountable, not just to set an example but to send a clear message that no one, no matter how connected, is above the law.
If Uganda is serious about addressing its road safety crisis, it must begin by reigning in the very people who contribute most to the problem: the arrogant elites who drive recklessly without a care for the lives they put at risk. Bashisha’s case should serve as a turning point, a moment when Uganda finally says enough is enough. Those who break the law, especially the privileged, must face the consequences of their actions.
Failure to act now will only embolden others like Bashisha. And when the next road accident claims innocent lives, the blame will lie squarely at the feet of those who allowed this culture of impunity to thrive. Uganda deserves better.
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