340km road safety walk kicks off, minister calls for vigilance

KAMPALA - Works and transport minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has called upon all Ugandans to be vigilant, adhere to traffic laws, and exercise caution for road safety.

The minister made the remarks Monday (February 24, 2025) as he flagged off the 340km Kampala-Gulu road safety awareness walk at Independence Monument in Kampala in a speech read by Fred Byamukama, the state minister for works and transport, who represented him at the event.

“For road safety, we both need it, and this morning I am very excited and happy to officially flag you off for the 340km Kampala-Gulu walk road safety awareness walk,” remarked Katumba earlier Monday as road safety advocate Joseph Beyanga widely known as Joe Walker and group kickstarted the 10-day journey.

Beyanga of Joe Walker Foundation says the Kampala to Gulu road safety walk is to engage diverse stakeholders, including bodaboda riders, communities, school children, law enforcement agencies, and various policymakers, in meaningful conversations about road safety.

“Thank God we are awake, the day is here, but this is not the day Joe Walker and you guys (walkers) just decided to walk. It’s a day when we are taking a step, saying can we make our roads safe, and this I a journey to ensure we make our roads safe,” said Beyanga before he kickstarted on the 10-day 340km journey.

From the Independence Monument as their first destination, the walkers will end in Bombo, the next stops will be Luwero, Nakasongola, Migyera, Kafu, Kigumba, Bweyale, Kamdini, Bobi, and finally Gulu.

Along the route, participants will engage with communities, raise awareness, and promote road safety principles according to Beyanga.

Beyanga of Joe Walker Foundation says the Kampala to Gulu road safety walk is to engage diverse stakeholders, including bodaboda riders, communities, school children, law enforcement agencies, and various policymakers, in meaningful conversations about road safety. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)

The 340km Kampala-Gulu walk road safety awareness walk is intended to pose and reflect on the lives of loved ones lost in road carnage, which can be avoided if extra care is taken while on the roads. 

UNOC, Jubilee Allianz, Rwenzori Water, Pride Microfinance Limited, Nicole Foundation, and Responsive Drivers in Gulu, have supported the Kampala-Gulu road safety walk.

Police report 

According to the latest Police crime report, road traffic crashes increased by 1,499 (6.4%) in 2024 compared to 2023.

It said the crashes increased from 23,608 in 2023 to 25,107 in 2024.

“Out of the total crashes reported to the Police, 4,434 were fatal, 13,134 serious and 7,539 minor. The number of reported fatal crashes also increased by 6.1%, from 4,179 in 2023 to 4,434 in 2024,” the report said.

The number of serious crashes increased by 5.2%, from 12,487 in 2023 to 13,134 in 2024 while that of minor crashes rose by 8.6%, from 6,942 in 2023 to 7,539 in 2024.

The highest number of crashes (2,445) was recorded in December while the lowest in April (1,863).

According to the latest Police crime report, road traffic crashes increased by 1,499 (6.4%) in 2024 compared to 2023. (New Vision/Files)

Fatalities

Regarding fatalities, the highest number (481) was recorded in August while the lowest (365) in April.

The report said collisions with pedestrians constituted 19.5% of all crashes while rear-end collisions and sideswipes accounted for 16.2% and 17.7%, respectively.

Head-on collisions accounted for 13%, angle collisions 10.5% and 9% of all crashes were single-vehicle crashes.

Collisions where vehicles hit other parked vehicles, hit objects on the road, hit objects off the road and hit animals accounted for 1.6%, 1.5%, 1.8% and 0.8%, respectively.

The report also said that more crashes were reported to have occurred during day time than the night time.

“A similar trend is also reflected in fatal crashes where more fatal crashes are reported to have occurred during day time,” it said.

The highest number of crashes in 2024 (3,780) occurred between 6:pm and 7:59pm. Similarly, fatal crashes (894) were also the highest during that time.

There were more crashes (3,790) reported on Sundays than any other day of the week in 2024. In addition, 3,765 and 3,686 crashes were reported on Saturdays and Mondays. Fewer crashes (3,330) were reported on Tuesdays compared to the other days of the week.

“Careless overtaking and speeding were the leading causes of road crashes in the year 2024 accounting for close to almost half (44.5%) of all crashes,” the report said.