Uganda to Enhance School Transport Safety Amid Rising Road Fatalities

Uganda is set to introduce tougher safety standards for its school transport sector in response to a concerning rise in road accidents involving children. The Ministry of Works and Transport, alongside other key agencies, is advocating for enhanced driver certification, rigorous vehicle inspections, and the integration of technology to bolster traffic rule enforcement.

Winstone Katushabe, Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety, highlighted that unroadworthy vehicles, overcrowding, and a lack of essential safety features continue to endanger schoolchildren. He emphasized the urgency of these improvements, stating, “Safer school transport can no longer wait.”

These initiatives come at a critical time, as Uganda grapples with a significant road safety crisis, reporting over 25,000 crashes annually, leading to thousands of casualties and deaths. The safety of children, who rely on school transport daily, has become a paramount concern, particularly after recent tragic incidents, including a crash in July that claimed the lives of 20 pupils.

Proposed changes include specialized training and background checks for school transport drivers, ensuring they meet higher standards than ordinary motorists. Vehicle safety will also be prioritized, with mandatory inspections and adherence to passenger capacity limits.

To aid enforcement, the government plans to deploy technology such as speed cameras and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems. The Ministry of Education and Sports has already issued directives to schools, requiring valid licenses and IOV certification for transport vehicles, along with ensuring drivers possess appropriate permits.

As part of immediate measures, school study trips and tours have been temporarily suspended. Authorities are also looking into infrastructural improvements around schools, such as dedicated pick-up zones and speed humps, and advocating for reduced speed limits in school zones.

The government acknowledges that ensuring child safety on the roads is a shared responsibility, involving schools, parents, operators, and various government bodies. The goal is to transform school transport from a daily risk into a secure passage to education.

Source: Nile Post