KAMPALA BREATHES ON CAR FREE DAY AHEAD OF CITY FESTIVAL

On Sunday, September 28, Kampala wore a different face. The honking of taxis and the growl of motorcycles gave way to laughter, bicycle bells, and the shuffle of happy feet. The city’s streets became playgrounds, as Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) hosted this year’s Car-Free Day.

From Buganda Road to Nile Avenue, children painted their dreams in bright colors, leapt around in bouncing castles, and skated down smooth tarmac. Families picnicked where cars usually jostle for space. Cyclists, both amateurs and pros, took to the open roads, while guided walks brought people together to rediscover the city at a slower, healthier pace.

“It was a real family day,” said one mother, catching her breath after joining her children in a round of skipping rope. “Seeing the city this way makes you wonder what if our streets could be this free more often?”

Car-Free Day wasn’t just about transport policy; it was about people reconnecting with their city. Young skaters wowed onlookers with daring moves, music floated through the streets, and groups of friends strolled leisurely, taking selfies against a backdrop usually dominated by traffic.

The activities were endless, cycling races, street games, painting corners for children, and open-air exercise sessions. For many, it was a rare chance to enjoy Kampala’s iconic avenues in peace.

But behind the fun lay an urgent message: Kampala must rethink how its residents move.

KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, said embracing non-motorized transport such as walking and cycling would ease congestion, reduce pollution, and improve public health.

Eng. Jacob Byamukama, Deputy Director of Transport and Roads Management, pointed out that over 50% of Kampala’s residents walk to work daily. “As planners, our question has been: how do we provide the infrastructure that allows people to walk and cycle safely every day, not just on Car-Free Day?”

KCCA’s answer is a growing network of non-motorized transport (NMT) corridors. From Namirembe Road to Luwum Street, and the soon-to-be-completed Salaama Road, with dedicated cycle lanes, new designs are prioritizing walkers and cyclists. Even the new flyover and Jinja Road expansions are being built with spaces for non-motorized users.

Eng. Justus Akankwasa, Director of Engineering and Technical Services at KCCA, noted that the vision is about equity. “We want everyone to share the city fairly 30% for pedestrians and cyclists, 31% for cars, and 31% for buses and heavy carriers,” he explained.

This year’s Car-Free Day comes at a time when Kampala’s air quality is under global scrutiny. In August, Swiss technology firm IQAir ranked the city as having the second-worst air quality in the world, largely due to vehicle emissions. With over 20,000 taxis, 50,000 bodabodas, and more than 220,000 private cars in the metropolitan area, congestion is choking the city.

Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajat Minsa Kabanda, used the event to announce new tree-planting initiatives. “We want a green city and to mitigate the challenges of climate change,” she said.

Dr. Sarah Karen Zalwango, Director of Public Health at KCCA, echoed the call, stressing that non-motorized transport is a vital step in protecting citizens from dangerous levels of pollution.

For the children who painted colorful bicycles on canvas, the cyclists who felt the wind on their faces, and the families who shared laughter on Kampala’s open streets, September 28 was more than just a day—it was a glimpse into a possible future.

A future where Kampala’s roads aren’t dominated by fumes and congestion, but shared fairly between cars, buses, bicycles, and people. A future where the city is cleaner, healthier, and more livable.

As the sun dipped behind the hills, families packed up their bikes and paintings, the Car-Free Day had shown what Kampala could be when people, not vehicles take center stage.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer