By Kabuye Ronald
The United Nations Association of Uganda (UNAU) has expressed “grave concern and profound sorrow” following a series of devastating road crashes across the country this week, including a deadly head-on collision between two passenger buses on the Kampala–Gulu highway that claimed 46 lives and left many others injured.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, UNAU described Uganda’s mounting road carnage as “unacceptable” and called for urgent, coordinated action to address what it termed a national crisis of safety, health, and human rights.
“Roads should be places of connectivity and opportunity, not of tragedy and grief,” the UNAU said.
According to Uganda Police data, the country recorded over 25,000 road crashes in 2024, resulting in thousands of fatalities and serious injuries. The Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH) reports that Uganda’s road traffic mortality rate, 29 deaths per 100,000 people—remains significantly higher than the global average of 18.
UNAU identified several factors driving this crisis, including reckless driving, speeding, poor vehicle maintenance, and weak enforcement of traffic regulations. Vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists continue to bear the heaviest burden.
Beyond the human suffering, UNAU noted that the economic and social costs of road crashes are devastating, stripping families of breadwinners, straining the health system, and undermining national productivity.
Calling for road safety to be elevated to the level of a national development and public health priority, UNAU urged the government to reflect this commitment in its budget and expenditure plans.
“Road safety is not just a transport or traffic issue—it is a matter of human rights, health equity, and sustainable development,” the statement emphasized.
The organization outlined six urgent recommendations, including: Stronger enforcement of traffic laws on speeding, overtaking, and vehicle roadworthiness, Improved infrastructure and safety standards—better road design, signage, lighting, and pedestrian facilities, Protection for vulnerable users through safer lanes, helmet use, and visibility measures, Public education campaigns to change road-user behavior and promote responsible driving, Enhanced post-crash care including emergency response and victim support and Data-driven decision-making through transparent crash reporting and monitoring.
UNAU urged the Government of Uganda to reaffirm its commitment to halving road-traffic deaths by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and World Health Organization (WHO) targets.
It also called on citizens and road users to take personal responsibility by adhering to traffic rules, driving soberly, and supporting efforts to protect vulnerable users.
“We invite all Ugandans to reflect on the human cost behind the statistics, to stand in solidarity with the victims, and to become active agents of road-safety behavior change in their communities,” UNAU stated.
