Uganda Government Intensifies Road Safety Measures Amidst Rising Fatalities

Uganda is witnessing a concerning surge in road accidents, with the Uganda Police Force reporting 26,044 crashes in 2025, an increase from 25,107 the previous year. Tragically, road deaths climbed from 5,144 to 5,383, with an additional 18,444 individuals suffering serious injuries. This escalating crisis has prompted the government to implement stricter enforcement measures across various transport sectors.

The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has initiated intensified checks on public service vehicles nationwide. Focus areas include route chart adherence, vehicle roadworthiness, and driver qualifications. In a single week, traffic police impounded 51 buses, with 41 found to be operating outside their designated routes and 10 failing to meet essential requirements such as valid licenses and proper identification.

To combat driver fatigue, a major contributing factor to accidents, the Ministry of Works and Transport is considering an electronic clocking-in system. This system would monitor drivers’ working hours, ensuring they do not exceed legal limits. Road safety experts like Benson Kilama believe this, coupled with robust enforcement, can significantly reduce fatigue-related incidents.

Recent operations have highlighted risks to vulnerable passengers, particularly schoolchildren. Several instances involved overloaded vehicles carrying pupils to school activities being intercepted by police. In one case, a Toyota HiAce carrying 36 pupils was stopped after a public alarm. In another, a Fuso truck transporting 221 students and staff was impounded. These incidents underscore the shared responsibility of school administrators, teachers, parents, and transport providers in ensuring child safety.

Heavy commercial vehicles are also under increased scrutiny. Mandatory inspections for Sinotruk trucks have been introduced to address concerns about the roadworthiness of heavy-duty vehicles. Officials emphasize that defects on loaded trucks can have catastrophic consequences. Consultations are underway with Sinotruk operators and stakeholders to formalize this inspection program, with plans to extend similar rigorous checks to other vehicle categories.

While enforcement is a critical component, a holistic ‘Safe Systems’ approach is being advocated. This involves road safety researchers, urban mobility specialists, and police collaborating to understand the multi-faceted causes of road deaths, which often include a combination of driver error, vehicle defects, and poor road infrastructure. Public vigilance in reporting violations is also proving instrumental in preventing potential tragedies.

Ultimately, the success of these new measures will hinge on consistent and sustained enforcement. Uganda has numerous road safety laws, but their effectiveness is diminished if they are not consistently applied. The current crackdown aims to ensure that regulations translate into tangible safety improvements and a reduction in road fatalities.