____________

KAMPALA - The acting Police director of Traffic and Road Safety, Lawrence Niwabiine, has decried the increasing road traffic deaths in the country.

In his foreword to the 2023 Annual Traffic Performance Report that was released on Friday (May 18), Niwabiine noted that the burden of road traffic deaths is largely borne by pedestrians, passengers on boda bodas, and the riders themselves.

“The fact is that these crashes can be prevented,” he said in a report that was posted on the Police’s X, formerly Twitter account.

The number of reported road crashes increased by 16% in 2023, from 20,394 in 2022 to
23,608 in 2023, while that of fatal crashes also rose by 7%, from 3,901 in
2022 to 4,179 in 2023.

Niwabiine said as they read the report, they were already faced with the “harsh reality of the urgent need and unwavering commitment” to address road safety in Uganda.

“Every statistic, every figure, every story in this report tells the story of lives lost, disabled and property destroyed, families and communities are devastated by the impact of road traffic crashes,” he said.

He also stated that the cost to lives, the strain on health systems, and the economic impact calls for the urgent need to re-evaluate and strengthen road safety efforts.

“The purpose of this report is not only to present numbers and trends but also to encourage accountability and advocacy. This serves as a call to action for policymakers, law enforcement, urban planners, and all individuals who can contribute to safer roads,” he said.

He also noted that road safety is a multifaceted challenge that requires a holistic approach that includes education, technology, infrastructure, and strong enforcement.

“By understanding the complexity of road crashes and learning from the experiences as described in this report, we can work together to build safer roads that promote the well-being of all road users,” the traffic chief said.

In a spirit of reflection and action, he stressed, let us absorb the insights provided here and direct our collective energies towards building a world where every journey is safe, responsible, and caring.

“Let's work together for road safety and embark on a journey to a future where road crashes are just a distant memory,” Niwabiine added.