By Our Reporter
The infamous Busabala Flyover has once again become the scene of a serious road accident, just two weeks after the tragic death of rally driver and businessman Rajiv Ruparelia. The crash, which occurred late Saturday night, involved a female motorist driving a Subaru Legacy (registration UBQ 900J) who slammed into the same concrete pavement barriers that claimed Rajiv’s life on May 3.
The vehicle was left mangled, and first responders were seen struggling to extract the driver from the wreckage. Her condition remains unclear as of publication, but eyewitnesses described the collision as catastrophic.
“This is the exact spot where Rajiv died,” said one shocked onlooker. “Why is the government so negligent? How many more people need to die before action is taken?”
The flyover, which remains under construction, has become a symbol of systemic failure. Motorists have long complained of its poor visibility, inadequate lighting, and the absence of warning signs or reflective materials—conditions that have turned this stretch into a deadly trap. Despite mounting concerns and the recent loss of a high-profile figure, no significant safety improvements have been made.
This latest incident has reignited public fury, with critics lambasting the Ministry of Works and Transport for its silence and apparent inaction. The unchanged state of the road, especially the unmarked concrete barriers, has been cited as a glaring example of government indifference to public safety.
“Nothing has changed since Rajiv’s death. No signage, no reflectors, no lighting. It’s as if his death meant nothing,” a Boda Boda rider fumed at the scene.
The Busabala Flyover has a grim history of accidents, with multiple collisions reported in recent years. Road safety activists are now calling for urgent intervention: a full investigation, removal or redesign of the hazardous barriers, installation of street lighting, and clear, visible road markings.
The urgency is underscored by Uganda’s escalating road safety crisis—over 5,100 road fatalities have been recorded in 2024 alone, a statistic that reflects a broader failure to address infrastructure hazards and enforce safety standards.
With yet another life hanging in the balance, the Busabala Flyover has come to embody a national tragedy—one paved not just with concrete, but with preventable loss and unanswered cries for reform. Unless swift and decisive action is taken, critics warn, this blackspot will continue to claim lives, serving as a chilling testament to official neglect.
