Soroti City authorities and police have been urged to urgently end dangerous street parking and regulate the movement of heavy vehicles in the city centre following the death of a Catholic priest in a road accident. The call comes amid concerns that roadside parking, vending and speeding heavy trucks are creating dangerous and congested roads for motorists and other road users.
The concerns were raised during a Requiem Mass at Madera Minor Seminary for Rev. Fr. Romanus Etwap, who died on February 2, 2026, after his vehicle was involved in an accident with a stationary Fuso truck, registration number UBE 545G, at Ajip in Soroti City East along the Soroti-Mbale road.
Rev. Fr. Gonzaga Ongereny Waziwazi, the Diocesan Chancellor of the Soroti Catholic Diocese, said the location where Fr. Etwap died was particularly dangerous because of street parking and roadside trading. “Parking in town is very dangerous, especially at the point where Fr. Etwap was involved in the accident, and near the Golf Course. You find that someone has parked a long vehicle, while another vendor is selling bananas in the same spot, making it very congested,” Fr. Ongereny said.
“This same area is where long trailers draw fuel, and the entire road becomes blocked.” He said heavy vehicles were also passing through the city at dangerous speeds. “Trailers pass inside the town at terrible speeds. I almost had an accident twice in the same area where those cars park on the roadside. City authorities and police need to help us,” he said.
Fr. Ongereny questioned why roadside structures had been removed to create additional road space when vehicles were subsequently allowed to occupy the same space through street parking. “We knew that removing those shops around the roadside was to ensure that the road is wide, but even after removing those shops, you have still allowed parking on the narrow roads. I am not an engineer, but I am a concerned citizen,” he said.
He also warned motorists and boda boda riders against reckless driving. “There are those who drive as if where they are going will relocate. Plan your journey early. You find boda riders on the road accelerating recklessly,” he said. “The 11th Commandment is to fear boda boda cyclists with all your heart, soul and mind. They pass anywhere and penetrate from every angle, and if you’re not sober, you will kill one.”
Fr. Ongereny also blamed the improper use of bright vehicle lights for creating additional risks at night.“Some road users are inconsiderate with their lights. They will use full beams, making it impossible for others to see the road. I believe it was the bright lights that contributed to Fr. Etwap’s inability to see the parked vehicle,” he said.
He urged motorists to reduce their speed and plan their journeys carefully. “I was once advised by a colleague that once you reach 40 years, you should reduce your driving speed. That age comes with complications. If you’re 40 and still driving at high speeds, then you may be mentally ill,” he said.
Meanwhile, Soroti City East Member of Parliament Moses Attan Okia said Fr. Etwap’s death had highlighted the need for a bypass to divert heavy traffic away from the city centre. “We are following up to ensure the bypass will be put in place because Soroti is one of the few cities in Uganda without a bypass,” Attan said.
He said discussions were also underway with city authorities to ensure designated parking areas are used instead of allowing vehicles to park along narrow roads. “We shall all die, but there is death due to recklessness when we fail to use the roads properly. I urge car owners not to allow drivers to overload. In memory of Fr. Etwap, we shall fight for the bypass in Soroti to save others,” he said.
Attan said although road safety regulations exist, enforcement remains weak. “As a city and stakeholders, we must come together and ensure that those who do something that costs lives are not given a free pass. We will meet as stakeholders to discuss how to enforce regulations,” he said.
Isaac Oduut, a resident of Soroti City, welcomed the church’s call for an end to street parking. “Now that the church has spoken, perhaps Soroti leaders will take action. Street parking has been a headache for both road users and business personnel,” Oduut said.
Fr. Etwap’s mother, Regina Acipa Etwap, urged mourners to remain prepared for death, saying its timing is unknown. “The date is not known, so we need to prepare. It’s bad to die when unprepared because you don’t know where you will go,” she said.
Vice President Jessica Alupo Epel remembered Fr. Etwap as a devoted servant of God who contributed to the spiritual and social development of the community. “He was particularly passionate about skilling the youth, advocating for training centres to provide them with life skills,” Alupo said. Fr. Etwap, born on November 29, 1972, was laid to rest at Madera Minor Seminary-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
