Traffic Police have launched road safety operations in the Savannah Region ahead of the festive season, targeting reckless driving, drunk driving, overloading and other traffic violations blamed for road crashes.
The operations were announced on Wednesday by the Deputy Director of Traffic Police, ACP Norman Musinga, during a community road safety sensitisation meeting in Nakasongola District.
Held under the theme “Community Involvement in Road Safety,” the meeting brought together religious and political leaders, transport operators, boda-boda riders, truck and taxi operators, teachers, market vendors and other community members to discuss measures to reduce road crashes.
Musinga said improving road safety required the active participation of all road users and stakeholders, urging the public to take greater responsibility for preventing accidents, particularly during the busy festive season.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone must actively participate in efforts to reduce crashes and protect lives,” Musinga told participants.
The meeting identified several factors contributing to road crashes in Nakasongola, including speeding, careless driving, drunk driving, drug abuse, driver fatigue, overloading and the use of vehicles in poor mechanical condition.
Participants also raised concerns about competition for passengers among transport operators, particularly boda-boda riders, illegal vehicle modifications and the lack of pedestrian walkways along the highway.
Other safety concerns included broken-down vehicles left on the road, bulldozers operating at night and trucks transporting sand, bricks and stones without covering their loads.
Musinga called for intelligence-led operations against traffic offenders and thorough inspections of old trucks, particularly those belonging to Victoria Sugar Factory, to establish whether they meet roadworthiness requirements.
He also called for action against unlicensed driving schools allegedly issuing fake permits and certificates to people who lack adequate driving skills.
The meeting recommended stronger enforcement of traffic regulations, the installation of road surveillance cameras, regular vehicle inspections, improved road design and maintenance, and wider public education on the Highway Code.
Transport operators were urged to establish internal rules to regulate their activities, while boda-boda riders were encouraged to undergo proper training and obtain the required driving permits.
Participants also called for greater involvement of government institutions, including the ministries responsible for health, works and transport, education and sports, and local government, alongside universities, traditional leaders and transport associations.
The proposals included appointing dedicated road safety officers, identifying road safety champions, improving access to post-crash medical care and encouraging greater uptake of vehicle insurance.
Statistics presented at the meeting showed that Uganda registered 26,044 road crashes in 2025, resulting in 4,062 deaths. Of those fatalities, 233 were recorded in the Savannah Region.
Participants called for stronger road safety education in schools and at public gathering places. They also recommended improved data collection by drivers’ associations to help identify accident-prone areas and guide targeted interventions.
Musinga urged motorists to avoid speeding, obey traffic regulations and ensure their vehicles were mechanically sound before setting off on journeys.
He further emphasised the need to protect pedestrians and enforce applicable restrictions on the movement of pupils and students in vehicles without the required clearance from the Ministry of Works and Transport. He also highlighted restrictions on night movements for such vehicles.
The festive season operations will include night patrols and enforcement activities targeting motorists and other road users who violate traffic regulations.
Police are urging all road users to observe traffic laws and exercise caution as travel increases during the festive period.