Every week, the Ugandan Police release statistics that highlight a tragic reality.

In a span of just one week, 87 lives were lost, with hundreds more enduring injuries, many involving motorcycles.

The blame for these fatalities is attributed to over speeding and reckless driving. It is inarguable that this unchecked trend of speeding, aggravated by distracted driving, poses a clear and present danger to the nation’s roads.

Approximately every kilometer, one can observe at least 10 individuals recklessly maneuvering their vehicles while texting, talking, or even engaging with social media apps.

This modern addiction to technology has transformed our gadgets from tools of convenience to instruments of danger, putting lives at risk.

The prevalence of mobile phone-related accidents is not just a matter of statistical significance; it is a humanitarian crisis.

Behind each statistic is a life forever altered, a family torn apart, dreams shattered, and futures irrevocably changed.

The economic and psychological toll that road accidents take on victims and their families is often underestimated.

Consider the story of a newlywed and expectant mother whose brother was permanently disabled by a reckless driver engrossed in their phone.

This tragedy forced her to relinquish her own dreams, selling family property to support her bedridden brother’s medical care. The human cost of these accidents is immeasurable, leaving lasting scars on families and communities.

As authorities dealt with this rising crisis, a collaborative effort between the police, Uganda National Roads Authority, and the health ministry initiated the “Fika Salama Extra campaign.”

This initiative aims to curb the escalating number of road crashes by emphasizing road safety and enforcing existing regulations.

Additionally, the resumption of operations against drink-driving through the use of a breathalyzer is a commendable step towards safeguarding the lives of road users.

The battle against road accidents requires not only the enforcement of laws but also a transformation of mindsets—a collective commitment to prioritize life over convenience.

A Rapid Assessment of Road Crashes in Uganda conducted in 2022, revealed that he causes of road accidents are mainly by human error, weather and the poor state of some roads. The government spends reasonable amounts of money in treating accident victims, at USD 245–3590, yet the funds could instead be used to promote socio-economic development in communities.

The use of technological applications such as the Uber, SafeBoda, Jumia apps has become a problem leading to road traffic incidents in Uganda, because drivers/riders tend to focus on these apps on their mobile phones instead of driving, and thus have limited mental capacity available for driving tasks.

Distracted driving leads to avoidable deaths on the roads and must be controlled and stopped. In the Traffic and Road Safety Regulations (2020), the use of mobile telephones while driving is prohibited; however, gaps exist in the enforcement of this regulation.