Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, has launched a countrywide road safety campaign aimed at tackling the surge in traffic accidents that typically occur during the festive season. The initiative seeks to protect motorists and passengers during the period of heightened travel.
Speaking at the launch on Thursday, Katumba warned that the end-of-year months are among the most dangerous on Ugandan roads, driven by increased mobility and reckless driving. He highlighted that high travel demand across the country coincides with a rise in road crashes, putting lives at risk.
The campaign, themed “Safe Vehicles for a Safer Uganda,” will focus on ensuring vehicle safety and compliance with road standards. The Ministry is calling on all stakeholders to actively participate in promoting safer roads.
Katumba appealed to vehicle dealers, spare parts suppliers, fuel companies, local manufacturers, fleet managers, the media, the police, and the general public to support the initiative. “We need every actor in the transport sector to contribute to safer roads, ensuring vehicles are properly maintained and compliant with safety standards,” he said.
The Minister noted that the Ministry has intensified stakeholder engagements for the phased implementation of mandatory motor-vehicle inspections. This is aimed at bringing Uganda’s entire vehicle fleet up to minimum safety standards while also promoting responsible road use.
While mechanical safety is critical, Katumba stressed that human behaviour remains a major cause of accidents. He singled out speeding, drink-driving, careless maneuvers, failure to use helmets, seatbelts, or child restraints, and distracted driving as key risks that must be addressed.
Katumba also urged caution during the ongoing political campaigns ahead of the 2026 elections. He called on supporters of all parties to avoid reckless driving and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, while reminding passengers to speak up against unsafe practices.
Uganda currently loses an average of 14 people daily to road accidents, with numbers spiking during the Christmas season. Katumba described this trend as unacceptable and reaffirmed the government’s goal of reducing road fatalities and serious injuries by half by 2030. He also announced that new interventions, including public-awareness campaigns, targeted police enforcement, and pedestrian safety enhancements, will be rolled out in the coming year.
