In a bid to advocate for safer roads and promote road safety awareness, a number of participants joined the walk from Kampala city to Fort Portal city, which commenced on Monday morning, February 26, 2024, with ardent discussions centred around the pressing need for improved road safety measures in Uganda.

The walk led by the passionate walker, Joseph Beyanga, commonly known as Joe Walker, gathered a diverse group of individuals, including esteemed guests such as the Minister for Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, who flagged off the walkers, Commissioner of Transport Regulation and Safety in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Winston Katushabe, representatives from Coca-Cola, the National Drug Authority (NDA), and other stakeholders.

The event kicked off with enthusiastic greetings and acknowledgments, setting the stage for a constructive dialogue on the critical issue of road safety. Joe Walker revealed the alarming statistics surrounding road accidents in Uganda, citing over 4,806 fatalities reported in 2023 alone, with more thousands left seriously injured.

While highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing rampant road accidents, Joe Walker outlined the three pillars of road safety, which are engineering, enforcement, and education. While acknowledging the government’s efforts in infrastructure development, he underscored the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and enhanced educational campaigns to promote responsible road use.

Commissioner Katushabe stressed the need for collective responsibility in ensuring road safety. He emphasised the role of partnerships with several organisations in driving meaningful change and urged all stakeholders to join forces in combating road fatalities.

Gen Katumba Wamala called for the urgency of the matter, acknowledging the severity of the situation and emphasising the need for a concerted effort to reverse the trend.

“I call upon all Ugandans to embrace a culture of responsible road use and pledge the ministry’s commitment to collaborate with stakeholders in implementing effective road safety measures,” Gen Katumba Wamala said.

As the walk kicked off, participants expressed their resolve to continue advocating for road safety and pledged to work together towards creating safer roads for all Ugandans. With the momentum generated by this walk and the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders, there is hope for a future where every journey on Uganda’s roads ends safely.