By Kabuye Ronald
The Ugandan government spends an estimated UGX 86.2 billion annually on treating victims of road accidents, while families contribute an additional UGX 7 billion bringing the total cost of road accident injury treatment to UGX 93.2 billion each year.
This revelation was made by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during the opening of the inaugural Uganda Road Safety Conference (URoSAC) 2025, held under the theme “Road Safety for Socio-Economic Transformation.” The event was organized by the Road Safety Advocacy Coalition Uganda (ROSACU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
Delivering the President’s remarks on his behalf, Vice President H.E. (Rtd) Maj. Jesca Alupo expressed concern over the rising number of road accidents despite significant improvements in the national road network.
“It is unfortunate that with improved access to good roads, accidents have increased leading to loss of lives and injuries, largely due to inadequate road safety awareness and the indiscipline of some drivers and motorists,” President Museveni noted.
He highlighted that a substantial portion of the UGX 93.2 billion is spent on treating severe injuries, particularly from boda boda (motorcycle taxi) crashes.
To reverse this trend, the President emphasized the need to prioritize awareness campaigns promoting responsible road usage and the strict enforcement of traffic regulations. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the National Road Safety Action Plan, which aims to reduce road crash fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by 2030. The plan focuses on five key pillars: road safety management, safer roads, safer vehicles, safer road users, and effective post-crash response.
According to current statistics, approximately 3,757 people die in road accidents annually in Uganda. Additionally, there are an estimated 600,000 car accidents and 1.2 million boda boda-related incidents each year.
Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, outlined new government strategies to tackle traffic violations. Among these is the upcoming Express Penalty Scheme (EPS Auto) an automated traffic penalty system that will use CCTV cameras to detect traffic offenses. Offenders will receive digital tickets directly linked to their vehicle registration, with fines deducted automatically from mobile money accounts.
“This system is expected to instil discipline among motorists,” said Gen. Katumba. He also announced the government’s plans to introduce mandatory motor vehicle inspection services to ensure roadworthiness nationwide.
Richard Baguma, chairperson of the URoSAC organizing committee, called for increased investment in road safety initiatives. He stressed the need for data-driven planning and implementation, enhanced school zone safety programs given that more than two school-going children reportedly die in road crashes daily and stronger multisectoral collaboration, emphasizing that road safety is a national issue that must be tackled collectively.
During the conference, Vice President Alupo also launched the Guide for Safe School Zones, a strategic document aimed at protecting children in and around school areas.
