The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala has unveiled a countrywide road safety campaign aimed at curbing the surge in road crashes typically recorded during the festive season.
Speaking during the launch on Thursday, Katumba warned that the end-of-year period remains the most dangerous time on Uganda’s roads due to increased travel and reckless behaviour by motorists.
Katumba Wamala cautioned that this time of the year is a period of high mobility and travel demand across all corners of the country. The downside during this period is that it is associated with increased levels of exposure to road crashes.
The Ministry is rolling out a national campaign focused on vehicle safety under the theme “Safe Vehicles for a Safer Uganda.”
Katumba appealed to all players in the transport and motor industry to take an active role in the drive.
“As this campaign gets underway, I would like to call upon all stakeholders in the safe-vehicle space to join the Ministry. Especially vehicle dealers, suppliers of genuine spare parts, fuel companies, servicing providers, local manufacturers, UNBS, the Police, fleet managers, the media and all road users,” he said.
He revealed that the Ministry has intensified stakeholder engagements on the rollout of mandatory motor-vehicle inspections, which are expected to be implemented in phases to ensure Uganda’s vehicle fleet meets minimum safety standards.
While emphasising mechanical safety, the Minister also warned that reckless human behaviour remains a major contributor to fatalities.
“Let us not forget to address road indiscipline and the key risky factors that include speeding, drink-driving, inconsiderate manoeuvres, non-use of motorcycle helmets, non-use of seatbelts and child restraints, and distracted driving,” he said.
Katumba also urged Ugandans to be cautious during the ongoing political campaign season as the country moves towards the 2026 general elections. He appealed to supporters of all political candidates to avoid chaotic road behaviour and ensure their vehicles are in proper working condition.
He further advised public-transport users not to keep silent in the face of reckless driving, noting that many avoidable deaths occur due to drivers ignoring basic safety measures.
Uganda currently loses an average of 14 people every day to road crashes, a figure that spikes during the Christmas period. Katumba described this trend as unacceptable and reaffirmed government’s target to reduce road-crash deaths and serious injuries by half by 2030.
The Minister announced that government will soon unveil a range of new interventions for the next financial year and the medium term, including heightened public-awareness efforts, targeted Police enforcement, stakeholder engagements, media campaigns and the painting of pedestrian crossings.
He also wished all Ugandans a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
