By Yiga Eric
The Rotary Club of Sonde has launched a road safety training programme targeting boda-boda riders and schoolchildren in an effort to curb Uganda’s rising number of road crashes and fatalities.
The initiative comes against the backdrop of alarming road safety statistics, which indicate that 12,084 people were involved in road crashes over the past year. The accidents left 5,383 people injured and claimed 2,525 lives.
According to the statistics, 43 percent of those who died were crossing the road, 32 percent were walking along the roadside, while 9 percent were standing by the roadside when they were struck. Boda-boda riders accounted for 55 percent of all road fatalities, underscoring the high risks faced by motorcycle operators.
To help address the growing crisis, the Rotary Club of Sonde organized a road safety training session at Misidye Church of Uganda Primary School. More than 20 boda-boda riders and pupils participated in the programme, which focused on road safety awareness, traffic regulations, defensive riding, and responsible road use.
Organizers said the training is intended to reduce road crashes, particularly those involving schoolchildren and boda-boda riders.
Richard Kagolo, Chairperson of the Goma Boda-Boda Riders Association, said the industry continues to face numerous challenges that contribute to accidents.
“There are still many challenges facing people in this profession, including inadequate riding skills, riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless speeding, and failure to observe traffic regulations,” Kagolo said.
He expressed confidence that the training would improve riders’ conduct and ultimately save lives.
“This training will help us improve how we use the roads and reduce the number of our colleagues who lose their lives. We have also agreed to enforce stricter discipline among riders who behave recklessly,” he added.
One of the participants, Moses Mutyaba, commended the Rotary Club for organizing the training, saying it had equipped riders with valuable road safety knowledge.
He also welcomed proposals to establish designated safe waiting areas for children before crossing roads, noting that both riders and pedestrians currently face significant safety challenges. Mutyaba further appealed for the installation of more zebra crossings to improve pedestrian safety.
The President of the Rotary Club of Sonde, David Nsalasata, emphasized the importance of continuous road safety education for all road users.
“We have realized there is a great need to educate people about proper road use and the meaning of traffic signs. We encourage everyone to put these lessons into practice,” Nsalasata said.
He stressed that special attention should be given to boda-boda riders who transport schoolchildren.
“We want these riders to receive proper training, especially on safely transporting pupils to and from school.”
Nsalasata also urged parents to prioritize their children’s safety by hiring licensed and responsible boda-boda riders or, where possible, using dedicated school transport.
Misidye Church of Uganda Primary School Head Teacher, Meseach Mutesasira, thanked the Rotary Club for bringing the programme to the school, saying road safety remains a major concern for learners.
She revealed that one of the school’s pupils was recently involved in a road crash.
“We need to be extremely vigilant along Bukerere Road, where vehicles often travel at high speeds while our children are crossing,” Mutesasira said.
She appealed to the relevant authorities to install zebra crossings and speed humps and to strengthen traffic police enforcement to curb reckless driving.
Pupils who participated in the training, led by Shamusha Kawuma, identified several dangerous practices that frequently contribute to road crashes. These include riding while using mobile phones, speeding, impatience, riding under the influence of alcohol, and disrespectful behaviour towards pedestrians.
The Rotary Club of Sonde’s initiative comes at a time when road safety remains one of Uganda’s most pressing public health and development challenges.
Stakeholders believe that sustained road safety education, improved infrastructure—including zebra crossings and speed humps—and stricter enforcement of traffic laws will significantly reduce road crashes and save lives.
Parents, schools, boda-boda riders, and government agencies have all been urged to work together to protect vulnerable road users, particularly children and the thousands of boda-boda operators who play a vital role in Uganda’s transport sector.
