Be extra cautious and responsible while on the road — Transport minister

KAMPALA - Flagging off road safety activists for the 212-kilometre Kampala to Hoima walk early Saturday (February 28) at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, works and transport minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, has called for individual road-users’ responsibility while on the road. 

He said every road user must be extra cautious and responsible while using the road, thereby creating safety on the country’s roads and saving lives.

“I wonder, whenever there is a road crash, motorists will attribute it to the road being narrow. But you know the road is narrow, the road is talking to you. It says don’t overtake in this corner. But you overtake, and then you get an accident, and then you say the road is narrow. Let us be more cautious and appreciate what we have, and respect the road signs,” urged the Minister.

Gen. Katumba made the remarks as he flagged off road safety activists who have embarked on the 212-kilometre road safety awareness campaign walk from Kampala to Hoima district.

Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala said every road user must be extra cautious and responsible while using the road, thereby creating safety on the country’s roads and saving lives. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)

Road safety advocate Joseph Beyanga, alias Joe Walker of Joe Walker Foundation, is leading the walk, the fifth edition of its kind in the country.

In his remarks, Beyanga said the 212-kilometre road safety walk aims to remind motorists and road users to adopt safe practices, avoid reckless driving and behaviours that result in fatalities, insisting that most of Uganda’s crashes are preventable. 

“Today, we are setting out to create awareness and prevent the causes of death. And with road crashes, we have one preventable cause of death, something that is claiming 14 people every day. It is preventable if you and I drive carefully. It is preventable if the law enforcement officer has done their job, it is preventable if all our roads are safe and forgiving,” remarked Beyanga.

He urged motorists to observe speed limits and exercise caution when approaching r high-risk sections of the highway to avoid tragedies claiming lives. 

Beyanga said the 212-kilometre road safety walk aims to remind motorists and road users to adopt safe practices, avoid reckless driving and behaviours that result in fatalities, insisting that most of Uganda’s crashes are preventable. (Credit: Douglas Mubiru)

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In February last year,  the 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.