Majority of people who die of accidents are pedestrians - Police

On average, the country loses about 3,500 people annually due to road traffic accidents and statistics indicate that 10, 000 people get injuries.

POLICE|ACCIDENTS|PEDESTRIANS

The Police have disclosed that the majority of people who die due to road crashes are pedestrians.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Charles Ssebambulide said, adding that pedestrians are followed by motorcyclists.

Ssebambulide made the remarks while commemorating the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims at Uganda Youth Aid Nursery and Primary School.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police Charles Ssebambulide speaking during the commemoration of the World Day of Remembrance of Road Traffic Victims at Uganda Youth Aid Nursery and Primary School Mbuya. Photos by Violet Nabatanzi


"Those who survive get broken limbs, permanent injuries while others lose sight," Ssebambulide said.

In Uganda, 4 out of 10 people are killed in road crashes every day and are mainly pedestrians, this is according to the Police Annual Crime Report 2019. 

This year's theme was "Remember Support ACT.''

"Many children have died as a result of road traffic accidents; I, therefore, caution parents to always accompany their children when they are going to school," Ssebambulide advised.

The Road Safety Engineer at KCCA Irene Namuyiga painting a Zebra crossing in Mbuya during the commemoration of the World Day of Remembrance of Road Traffic Victims as other officials look on.


On average, the country loses about 3,500 people annually due to road traffic accidents and statistics indicate that 10, 000 people get injuries.

It is against this background that Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Transport, police, and Makerere University School of Public Health (MAKSPH) have embarked on enforcing road safety laws on speeding, drink driving, motorcycle helmets, and seat belts.

The team will also focus on designing and building safer roads, implementing transportation systems to make urban mobility safer and promoting safe driving, and building public support for road safety through mass communication campaigns.

The Road Safety Engineer from KCCA, Irene Namuyiga said the efforts will contribute to the global goal of halving traffic deaths by 2030.

"One of the most pressing challenges we face is speeding. This affects both the likelihood of a crash, and the severity of the consequences if a crash does occur," Namuyiga said.

(L-R) Communication officer Bloomberg Philanthropies - Initiative for Global Road Safety, Kahunde, Jacob Byamukama KCCA City Lead (BIGRS), Eng Ronald Balimwezo, Nakawa division mayor and Andrew Banturaki Chief sales and Marketing Officer C Square posing for group photo.


She added, "The higher the speed a vehicle is traveling at the time of a crash, the less likely the survival of those involved." 

Nakawa Division Mayor, Eng Ronald Balimwezo called upon Parliament to allocate more money to the Health Ministry to ensure that there are enough Trauma centres in the country.

In order to reduce the number of accidents in the country, Balimwezo said there was a need to start road safety programmes in schools.

The C Square Chief Sales marketing officer, Andrew Banturaki appealed to Ugandans to take the commemoration and commit to being more responsible road users because every life matters.