Activists Ask Gov't to Increase Funding for Road Safety Interventions

Road safety experts and activists have called on the government to increase funding for interventions aimed at reducing road carnage in the country.

Speaking at a two-day road safety conference in Munyonyo, Fred Tumwine Kuruho, the chairperson of the Road Safety Advocacy Coalition Uganda (ROSACU), emphasised the urgent need for the government to increase investment in road safety initiatives to curb traffic crashes.

Tumwine noted that Uganda loses an estimated 7 trillion shillings annually due to road crashes and the treatment of victims in national hospitals. He argued that if the government could invest at least 1 percent of this lost revenue in road safety, the number of road crashes could significantly decrease.

Additionally, Tumwine highlighted the importance of expanding road safety education in schools so that learners grow up with knowledge on how to stay safe on the roads. He also called for investment in multi-modal transport systems to reduce pressure on Ugandan roads and urged the integration of technology into road safety systems.

Richard Baguma, a road safety activist, expressed the need for all stakeholders to unite in the fight against road carnage in Uganda. He stated that mobilising and bringing together all parties concerned with road safety is a vital part of the action plan for achieving safer roads.

Baguma mentioned that over two children die every day due to road crashes, stressing the need to strengthen and expand school zone safety programs to protect children.

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General Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, urged drivers to “communicate with the roads” by respecting road signs, including speed limits, bends, and markings, to reduce road crashes.

He acknowledged the increasing trend of road fatalities, which have surpassed 5,000 annually, according to Uganda Police. He noted that this represents a significant economic burden to the country.

Katumba emphasised the need for immediate action, describing road safety as a key sustainable development issue. He reaffirmed Uganda's commitment to the global goal of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 percent by 2030.

Following the World Health Organisation recommendations, Katumba announced that the government is to implement a 30 km/h speed limit in heavily congested areas.

He also urged police to take a firm stance on enforcing safe zone speed limits, particularly in school zones, hospital areas, and other densely populated places.

To support enforcement, Katumba revealed that the government is introducing a new express penalty scheme based on automatic CCTV surveillance. The system will be linked to motor vehicle registrations and will automatically send fines to offenders’ mobile phones, deducting the money directly to settle the bills.

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President Yoweri Museveni, in a message delivered by Vice President Jesca Alupo, acknowledged the expansion of Uganda’s road network since his government took office, which has boosted internal and interstate trade. However, he expressed concern over the increase in road accidents, which result in loss of life and injuries.

He attributed this rise to inadequate safety awareness and the indiscipline of some drivers. Museveni noted that the government spends approximately 86.2 billion shillings annually on treating road-related injuries. He urged increased promotion of road safety awareness to encourage responsible road use.