New law to compel drivers to fully pay off road crash victims

The Ministry of Works and Transport is drafting legislation to introduce accident victim assessors, a new cadre of professionals expected to quantify compensation claims and strengthen accountability for road crashes.

Officials say the proposed law will empower assessors, also referred to as transport assessors, to take charge of crash scenes, investigate causes, and compute the cost of damage and loss of life for use in court.

Mr Winston Katushabe, the chief licensing officer at the ministry, said the move is intended to address rising road fatalities and ensure victims or their families receive adequate compensation.

“These assessors will investigate every aspect of the crash to establish liability and determine the financial value of the loss. Their findings will be presented in court to compel compensation,” he said.

He explained that compensation calculations will take into account factors such as a victim’s income and expected working life.

With Uganda’s average life expectancy estimated at between 67 and 68 years, assessors would project lost earnings up to that age.

Paying salary

“For instance, if a deceased person was employed, their salary and expected benefits over their remaining working years will be computed and presented as part of the claim,” Mr Katushabe added.

The proposed framework will also factor in allowances and other benefits due to the victim, with the aim of ensuring courts award compensation that reflects the full extent of loss.

Officials argue that stricter financial consequences will deter negligence on the roads. The ministry also plans to roll out a demerit points system, under which drivers accumulate penalties for traffic offences, potentially leading to suspension from driving.

Mr Katushabe said the draft law is in its final stages. Before implementation, the ministry will conduct sensitisation campaigns targeting the Judiciary and the public.

Auto Show announced

The developments were announced during a press briefing held in partnership with the Nation Media Group, ahead of this year’s annual Auto Show.

Mr Allen Ssubi Ssempa, the partnerships officer for the Auto Show, said the fifth edition of the event will run from July 17 to 19 at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

The exhibition will bring together players across the automotive sector, including car dealers, insurers, financial institutions offering asset financing, paint companies, and accessories vendors.

The audience growth manager NMG Uganda, Ms Freda Ajok, said the media company’s continued participation reflects its commitment to promoting road safety.

“We shall leverage all our media platforms to amplify the show and its road safety message,” she said. The proposed reforms come amid concerns that existing laws are no longer effective in deterring traffic offences or ensuring adequate compensation.

Under the Motor Vehicle Insurance (Third Party Risks) Act 1989, it is illegal to operate a vehicle without third-party insurance.

The law requires vehicle owners to notify insurers in the event of an accident and provide all relevant details.

However, officials note that compensation limits under the current framework are too low to reflect the scale of loss in major crashes.

In some cases involving dozens of fatalities, the prescribed compensation—shared among victims—has been criticised as insufficient.