Uganda Bans Short Skirts Women from Sitting with Drivers to Curb Accidents
Kampala Uganda Lira City authorities barred all women wearing short skirts and dresses from sitting in front seats with drivers to reduce the frequent accident cases in the country.
Christine Juma 
The immediate decision was made in the aftermath of a January 10 accident in Agali Sub-county, Lira District, that claimed the lives of nine persons and injured 19 others.
The accident is believed to have occurred when A Fuso truck conveying traders and their goods was engaged in a collision near Pii-awac marsh, seven kilometers east of Lira City.
When the accident occurred, the ill-fated van was returning to Lira City from the Ajuri weekly market in Abako Sub-county, Alebtong District.
The accident was caused by irresponsible driving, speeding, and overloading, according to police.
However, female market vendors, particularly those in the front cabin, have been accused of multiple accidents on most of the roads in the Lango Sub-region, along with truck drivers.
It is said that these females put on short skirts and dresses to lure truck drivers for selfish gain. The short attires expose their thighs, which distracts drivers thus resulting in road accidents.
According to Mr. Patrick Opio Obote, the chairman of Lira City Mobile Market Vendors Association, some of their female members dress indecently and demand to sit in the co-drivers seat claiming that back seats are dusty.
“To reduce accidents, we have resolved that with effect from Monday, January 17, no woman shall be allowed to sit in front of any truck transporting traders from Lira City to any weekly markets,” he said.
Trucks Heading to Uganda. PHOTO FILE
A female witness Ms. Dorcus Adongo, stated that most female vendors at the market are always fighting for front truck seats while in short dresses.
“These women always wear short dresses. Whenever they reach their destination at the weekly markets in the villages, they take the drivers away to the local bars where they offer them drinks and food,” she said.
In addition, Mr. Bernard Anyeko Matsanga, a spokesperson for the Lira Urban Transporters Association, said the decision is now fully implemented adding that no woman will be allowed to sit in front seats with the truck drivers.
“No woman is allowed to sit in front of the driver, even if you are the wife of the owner of the vehicle, we are not allowing you. Drivers are obeying all the directives and none of them is overloading or speeding. They are driving at normal speed,” Mr. Anyekotold a local publication in Uganda.
