Gen Katumba Tells Ugandans To Note Down Cars Of Gov’t Officials Driving Recklessly

The Minister for Transport and Works, General Edward Katumba Wamala, expresses deep concerns regarding the increasing lack of discipline among government vehicles. Instances of these vehicles veering onto the wrong side of roads and encroaching on newly planted green belts by KCCA have become alarmingly common.A recent incident involving a driver damaging newly installed grids has prompted the minister to question the possibility of intoxication.

In response, Katumba urges individuals with smartphones to capture photos of such offenders and share them for a proactive approach, expecting swift action against those violating traffic rules.Katumba emphasizes that these violations not only jeopardize road safety but also undermine public trust in the government, as such behavior sets a negative example for other drivers. The minister remains optimistic that active public involvement will play a crucial role in curbing these reckless violations and instilling a sense of responsibility on the roads.

It’s noteworthy that General Wamala has a distinguished background, having served as an officer in the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) during the 1986 defeat of UNLA by the National Resistance Army (NRA). His transition into the NRA was incident-free. From 1999 to 2000, he attended the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Between 2000 and 2001, as a major general, he commanded UPDF forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

After serving as Inspector General of Police (IGP) from 2001 to 2005, Wamala was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed the role of commander of land forces, based at Bombo Military Barracks. This promotion made him one of the highest-ranking senior officers in the Ugandan military. In this capacity, he played a crucial role in the peacekeeping mission in Somalia (AMISOM). On May 23, 2013, he was promoted to the rank of four-star general and appointed Chief of Defence Forces.