KAMPALA RECORDS DROP IN ROAD FATALITIES, LAUNCHES SPEED MANAGEMENT MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has released its fourth Annual Road Safety Report, revealing a 2% reduction in road traffic deaths in 2024 compared to the previous year. In addition, the Authority has launched a new mass media campaign aimed at curbing speeding in school zones and other high-risk areas.

The Kampala Annual Road Safety Report 2024, developed from police crash records highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in the city’s road safety efforts. Reported fatalities fell from 411 in 2023 to 404 in 2024, reducing the death rate from 10.6 to 9.9 per 100,000 population.

However, the number of serious injuries increased by 12%, signaling the need for continued and targeted interventions. Notably, vulnerable road users (pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists) accounted for 94% of all fatalities, with young men aged 20 to 29 years being the most affected demographic. The report also identifies high-risk crash corridors, including locations along the Northern Bypass, Jinja Road, and Entebbe Road, where evidence-based interventions are being prioritized.

Speaking during the launch, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago said, "While we note a decline in fatalities, the growing number of crashes and the disproportionate impact on our youth remain deeply concerning. We are committed to enforcing safer road behaviors and protecting vulnerable road users."

In response to ongoing concerns, especially regarding the safety of school children, KCCA has rolled out a mass media campaign under the theme "Slow Down. It’s 30 for a Reason!" The campaign urges drivers to adhere to the 30 km/hr speed limit in urban and high-risk areas such as schools, hospitals, and markets. This initiative aligns with the Traffic and Road Safety (Prescription of Speed Limits) Regulations, 2024.

The media campaign, in partnership with the Uganda Professional Drivers Network (UPDN) and backed by coordinated police enforcement, features a compelling Public Service Announcement (PSA) depicting the real consequences of speeding in a school zone. It will run across television, radio, social media, and outdoor platforms in Kampala, supported by community engagement efforts to reinforce the message at grassroots level.

"Every child deserves a safe journey to and from school," said Hajat Sharifah Buzeki, Executive Director of KCCA. "Through this campaign and our Speed Management Plan, we aim to make Kampala’s streets safer for everyone, especially our children."

Omongo Ndugu, Executive Director of UPDN, called for stronger collaboration to promote professional driving standards. He noted that the new regulations, gazetted in February 2024, reduced speed limits in built-up areas from 50 km/h to 30 km/h in locations with high interaction between vehicles and vulnerable road users, particularly around schools. "This is not just a figure on a road sign. It is a life-saving rule that every professional driver must uphold. Slowing down near schools and pedestrian crossings is central to protecting children and other unprotected road users," he said.

This dual effort, anchored in data-driven policy and behavioral change communication, marks a significant step in Kampala’s commitment to safer mobility for all.