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Prince David Wasajja of Buganda Kingdom has urged boda boda riders and passengers to wear crash helmets to reduce the risk of head injury in accidents.

Wasajja said this during the prize-giving ceremony for primary schools and secondary schools that participated in the ‘Recycled plastic boat race and recycling market’. The event took place on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club, at the lakeshore at Kaazi on Murchison Bay.

Prince David Wasajja of Buganda Kingdom(clapping) during the prize giving ceremony for schools that competed at boat race using recycled materials at the the Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club, Kaazi. (Photo by John Odyek)

Prince David Wasajja of Buganda Kingdom (clapping) during the prize giving ceremony for schools that competed at boat race using recycled materials at the the Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club, Kaazi. (Photo by John Odyek)

The theme of the event was ‘Raising awareness about the plastic pollution in Lake Victoria’.

According to experts, a crash helmet serves as a crucial safety gear that can protect the head and life in the event of an accident. Modern crash helmets are designed with various features to enhance visibility and communication.

Many helmets come equipped with reflective strips or vibrant colours, making the rider more visible to other motorists.

Crash helmets shield riders from environmental elements such as heat, rain, wind, insects and flying debris.

Wasajja noted that while old and damaged motorcycle helmets can be recycled into flower pots, it was better if they were redesigned and worn by riders and passengers.

Wasajja observed that when boda boda helmets are turned into flower pots they look very colourful. 

“The number of helmets thrown around is much. Wear them more than use them for flower pots. If colourful helmets were worn they would look very nice and promote the safety culture,” Wasajja said.

He expressed happiness at seeing many pupils and students turn up for the boat race.

“It is good to see children concerned about the environment. If the environment is wasted the children will be responsible and affected. We do not want our generation to be seen as reckless about the environment,” Wasajja added.

We cannot live without the environment.  But the environment can live without us,” Wasajja explained. He was accompanied by Buganda Kingdom chief Mukasa Kiriibwa.

Harriet Fowler, secretary of the committee of Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club said that they want to see more schools participate in the event to increase awareness about environment protection.

Romina Kohler, director of 7 Hills International School, said that schools were required to build boats from recycled plastics. The boats have to float and have to be sailed by a crew of three children when racing.

The winners were awarded prizes and certificates in different categories. They were; the speed race for primary school was won by Hands for Hope Primary School, and the speed race for secondary school was won by 7 Hills International School.

Prince David Wasajja of Buganda Kingdom (Brown shirt) during the prize giving ceremony for schools that competed at boat race using recycled materials at the the Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club, Kaazi. (Photo by John Odyek)

Prince David Wasajja of Buganda Kingdom (Brown shirt) during the prize giving ceremony for schools that competed at boat race using recycled materials at the the Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club, Kaazi. (Photo by John Odyek)

The design prize was won by Rainbow International School, the construction prize was won by Chrysalis Primary and Secondary School, Gulu. The prizes for resilience were won by Kisasi Primary and Bushbaby Nature School.

Honorary prizes were awarded to; Nakivubo Primary School, Kampala Community International School, Galaxy International School and the French International School.

The race was organised by the Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club, 7 Hills International School and the Flipflopi Project. Eleven teams participated in the event from nine schools.

Rebecca Faber head of communications of the Flipflopi Project said that they aim to raise awareness about plastic pollution in East Africa through holding activities that are meaningful and specific in context.

“There is plastic we should reduce use of, recycle and re-use and redesign, there are bottle tops, plastic jerry cans that we picked up from the coast of Kenya, melted them and moulded them into a boat,” Faber said.

She said that they have built a dhow dubbed Flipflopi made 100% from recycled plastic composed of seven tonnes of trash including 30,000 washed-up slippers that were collected from towns and beaches across Kenya.

Faber said that plastic pollution requires community-led action. While regulations and laws can be made as often in politics there is often too much talk, too little, too late and not enough action.

Fredric Met, a boat-building expert, gave information on the competition elements that they were looking at. These included; how the boat was built, the speed at which it could move, the use of recycled materials, safety, buoyancy and innovation.

The judges for the race were; Kohler, Nicole Maarse, a sailing instructor and committee member Victoria Nyanza Sailing Club, Met and Fowler.

Lake Victoria, is the world's largest tropical lake. As the shores of the lake grow busier, it faces threats from chemical contamination from industries, illegal and overfishing, deforestation and plastic pollution.