Kampala, Uganda – May 14, 2025
The Uganda Road Safety Conference 2025 is currently underway, shining a spotlight on the urgent need to curb road traffic deaths under the powerful theme: “Road Safety for Socio-Economic Transformation.” The event, taking place during the United Nations Global Road Safety Week (May 12–18), is bringing together key stakeholders to drive national action for safer roads and stronger communities.
In a sobering statistic, Uganda loses an average of 14 people every day to road crashes, including two school-going children. These tragedies, officials say, are heartbreaking—but preventable.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, who represented President Yoweri Museveni, called for comprehensive transport safety, emphasizing that “every journey—by road, water, air, or rail—must be safe.” She led the conference with a Moment of Silence in memory of the lives lost to traffic crashes.
The Ministry of Works and Transport, alongside partners like the Road Safety Advocacy Coalition Uganda (ROSACU), is using this platform to rally for more funding for road safety initiatives. The call to action is grounded in Uganda’s National Road Safety Action Plan, which prioritizes:
- Increased investment in road safety infrastructure
- Improved data and evidence-based planning
- Safer school zones and child protection
- Coordinated efforts across all stakeholders
The Vice President also launched two critical documents: the Safe School Zones Establishment Guide and the Non-Motorized Transport Manual. These tools provide practical solutions to protect vulnerable road users such as children, pedestrians, and cyclists.
From raised walkways to proper signage and inclusive street design, the guidelines aim to transform Uganda’s transport landscape into one where safety is not an afterthought—but a standard.
As the conference continues, one message is clear: “Let’s drive change. Let’s save lives.”
