Works minister Katumba calls for road safety as learners return to school

KAMPALA - Works and transport minister Gen. Katumba Wamala has called for road safety as learners return to school for the crucial third term.

“Road accidents remain a major challenge in the country. I hope each of us takes responsibility to respect and protect fellow road users,” he said on Monday (September 15) via his X, formerly Twitter, handle.

“Remember to wear your safety belt. And as we return our children to school, may we remember this,” the minister implored motorists, with a hashtag #RoadSafety.

He made the call a day after visiting the general manager of National Enterprise Corporation's Luwero Industries Ltd, Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeyi, in a Kampala hospital. The corporation is the defence ministry's commercial arm.

Works and transport minister Gen. Katumba Wamala

Muzeyi, who is also former Deputy Inspector General of Police, was hospitalised after an army vehicle he was driving collided with a cattle truck at Kabango along the Ssembabule-Gomba Road on September 13, 2025.

“I am glad to share that he (Muzeyi) is doing well, and so is his family. We continue to pray for God’s protection over him,” the minister said.

The 2024 Police annual crime report said that although traffic-related offences declined by 19.2%, road crashes increased by 6.4%, with 5,144 fatalities recorded—a seven per cent rise from 2023.

Motorcyclists and pedestrians remained the most vulnerable road users, with crashes attributed to speeding, reckless overtaking and poor road conditions.

The report underscored the urgent need for improved road infrastructure, stricter traffic enforcement and public awareness campaigns to reduce fatalities.