Annual Driver Certification Urged as Road Fatalities Spike

The Road Safety Advocacy Coalition Uganda (ROSACU) has issued a compelling call for the government to implement mandatory annual driver certification and continuous professional development for those operating commercial passenger vehicles. This plea comes in response to a significant and persistent increase in road fatalities across Uganda.

During a press conference in Kampala, ROSACU Chairperson Fred Tumwiine emphasized the urgent need to professionalize passenger transport services to drastically reduce preventable deaths on the nation’s roads.

“We urge the Ministry of Works and Transport, in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force, transport operators, driver associations, and accredited training institutions, to establish a structured national Continuous Professional Development program for commercial passenger drivers,” stated Tumwiine. He further advocated for post-licensing training and regular competency assessments to be made compulsory, particularly for drivers transporting schoolchildren.

ROSACU’s proposals stem from alarming statistics: 5,383 lives were lost in road crashes in 2025, a rise from 5,144 in 2024, and averaging about 15 deaths daily. The coalition highlighted that speeding and careless overtaking were responsible for nearly half of all crashes in 2024. These crashes inflict a substantial economic burden, estimated at 5% of the country’s GDP annually, and strain healthcare systems, with regional referral hospitals spending over Shs315 billion yearly on treating victims.

The coalition also recommended a specialized licensing and certification system for school transport vehicles, focusing on roadworthiness, safety equipment, and emergency preparedness. They additionally called for increased funding for traffic enforcement, training, inspections, and public awareness campaigns, framing it as an investment in public health and national development.

To enhance coordination, ROSACU proposed a multisectoral road safety mechanism under the Office of the Prime Minister. The group stressed that tackling this crisis requires a united effort from government, operators, schools, drivers, civil society, and the public to create safer roads for all Ugandans.

Source: Nile Post