William Mugabi, the URCS Luwero Branch Manager, says that the volunteers have been equipped with kits to offer first aid to accident victims, adding that they have deployed the volunteers in hot spots.
File Photo ; A Taxi that was involved in accident recently at Kakinzi village along Kampala-Gulu highway.The Red Cross Volunteers intend to help accidents victims during the season
At least 32 volunteers
and three ambulances deployed by the Uganda Red Cross Society-URCS
will respond to emergencies along the Kampala-Gulu
highway during this festive season. Kampala –Gulu highway is prone to accidents, which tend to escalate during the
Christmas season.
The accidents
result from reckless driving, narrow road, and drink driving among other factors. The latest accident claimed the lives of two people on Sunday
when a
Toyota vehicle registration UBD
093C knocked motorcycle
registration number UFJ 997Q, on
which they were traveling near Katikamu trading center.
Now, URCS
has deployed 32 volunteers in Nakasongola and Luwero districts to respond to
accidents along the Kampala-Gulu highway during the festive season. About 20 volunteers are deployed in major towns
in Nakasongola district and 12 others within towns in Luwero district.
William Mugabi, the URCS Luwero Branch Manager, says that the volunteers have been equipped with
kits to offer first aid to accident victims, adding that they have deployed the volunteers in hot spots.
Julius
Sebwato, the URCS
Nakasongola branch Manager, says that the
volunteers will wear Red Cross jackets for easy identification at the scenes and work with
Police to evacuate victims. Sebwato says that this year, they don’t expect other emergencies
since bars are still closed
because of the COVID-19 restriction measures.
Dan Ssenku, the Luwero
Branch URCS Board Chairperson, says that
they have also secured three ambulances, which will operate between Matugga-Karuma
along Kampala –Gulu highway. Isah
Ssemwogerere, the
Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson,
says that Police have heightened check-ups along the highway to avert accidents.
He says that the Police Fire and Rescue Service team is also on standby to respond to emergencies.