60-kilometre road safety ‘Remembrance Walk’ kicks off in Kampala

KAMPALA - Hundreds of road safety activists early Saturday set off for the 60-kilometre relay walk, calling on road users to action for safer roads, deeper reflection, and collective responsibility.

Termed ‘Joe Walker Remembrance Relay 2025’, participants kicked off the relay from the Shelaton Hotel in Kampala, via Jinja Road, to Lugogo bypass, then Kololo en route back to Shelaton after a 10km walk. It’s from then that the baton will be passed over to other teammates to proceed with the relay till completion of 60km.

As walkers set off, road safety advocate Joseph Beyanga, alias Joe Walker of Joe Walker Foundation, said participants who intend to walk the all 60km will do the route six times. 

Participants also had a moment of silence in remembrance of Ugandans lost due to road crashes, and a widow, Catherine Ndagire, who lost her husband (Oscar Ojambo) last year in a road crash along the Northern bypass, flagged off the walk. 

14 Ugandans die daily

In February this year, the Police traffic and road safety directorate released its 2024 road crash statistics, showing that more Ugandans are perishing in traffic crashes daily.

The report showed 5,144 Ugandans died in traffic accidents in 2024, translating to 14 daily deaths. This was an increase compared to 4,806 people who perished in road crashes in 2023, and this translated to 13 road deaths every day.

According to Lawrence Niwabiine, the commandant traffic and road safety directorate, more road deaths were recorded between 6:00pm and 8:00pm whereby 894 Ugandans lost their lives.

This was followed by deaths that occurred between 8:00pm and 10:00pm, which stood at 514, while the third highest road deaths occurred between 4:00pm and 6:00pm, which stood at 511.

“The highest number of crashes in 2024 (3,780) occurred between 18:00hrs and 19:59hrs. Similarly, fatal crashes (894) were also highest between 18:00hrs and 19:59hrs,” Niwabiine stated.

Police indicated that road deaths have continuously been on the rise. For instance, 4,534 died in 2022 traffic accidents, which meant 12 people per day. The deaths rose to 4,806 in 2023, translating to 13 deaths per day and now 5,144, meaning 14 deaths each day.

The relay

This year’s relay is in partnership with Nicole Foundation, Ministry of Works and Transport, Sheraton Hotel, Fun Cycling, and the Orthopedic Society of Uganda.

Teams consist of 6 members each covering 10KM, or 3 members each covering 20KM, with every participant walking their segment before passing the baton to the next teammate.

The relay format powerfully symbolises collective responsibility, showing that road safety is a shared journey where everyone plays a part.

By walking, passing the baton, and supporting one another along the route, participants demonstrate that creating safer roads requires cooperation, awareness, and mutual accountability.