Uganda’s new road safety push faces old problems

_________________

OPINION 

By Andrew Barungi

The Ministry of Works and the Traffic Police have been working diligently to sensitise the public and social media users about the upcoming Intelligent Traffic Monitoring System (ITMS). They have also reminded citizens that the Traffic and Road Safety Regulation 2024 will take effect around May 15, 2025.

For those unfamiliar with the regulations, they prescribe maximum speed limits for specific roads. Violations will attract stringent fines. While this appears to be a step toward road discipline, it has triggered mixed reactions among road users.

According to the Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH), between 2012 and 2023, road traffic injuries (RTIs) in Uganda declined from 411 to 357 per 100,000 population, a slight improvement, but still troubling. Interestingly, hospital admissions rose during the same period, although RTI-related deaths declined by about 50%. Most districts saw a drop in RTI incidence, except Kampala, which remains a hotspot. Motorcycles remain the leading cause, responsible for over half of the annual cases.

With such alarming statistics, it is clear that we must deal with this national menace. No one deserves to lose their life or suffer lifelong injuries due to reckless driving or poor traffic enforcement. The new regulation may, in the short term, bring order to our roads, but that depends on its implementation.

However, this is where things get tricky. What is the true purpose of enacting this regulation and introducing ITMS? Is it genuinely to save lives, increase government revenue, or both? It’s unclear whether higher fines will translate into safer roads. While the intentions may be noble, the authorities seem to be ignoring the elephant on the road: poor infrastructure, especially in Kampala. To put it bluntly — Kampala roads suck!

What is the point of warning the public about new measures when the state of the roads undermines safety efforts? Any regular driver in Kampala will tell you that road signage is inadequate or missing. Speed limits, sharp curves, and ongoing construction zones often lack proper markings. Road lines are barely visible or have faded entirely. In this environment, drivers are set up to fail, and fines may feel less like deterrents and more like traps.

With this in mind, it’s fair to wonder if this will become a cash cow for the authorities. It’s easy to impose fines on average Ugandan drivers for minor infractions. But will government drivers or politically connected individuals be subject to the same punishments? For them, the fines may be insignificant. Such disparities will only deepen public cynicism and resentment.

Also, will the law even apply to boda boda riders, who often appear to operate above the law? UNIPH reports that motorcycles account for more than half of all RTIs. Yet, enforcement efforts rarely target this group effectively.

Yes, no city is free from accidents. But in many cities, mitigation measures exist — flyovers, traffic lights, and dual carriageways. Kampala, by contrast, has mostly single-lane roads and limited traffic control systems. Many drivers lack basic knowledge of road regulations, raising questions about driving school standards.

Let’s not forget that some traffic officers have been assaulted while trying to do their jobs, often with little accountability. Will ITMS ensure the enforcement of rules even among the untouchables? Only time will tell.

In the end, road safety begins with personal responsibility — but it must be matched by fair enforcement, transparent governance, and functional infrastructure. Otherwise, the new regulation risks being seen not as a tool for public safety, but as yet another burden on already frustrated road users.

X: @andybk82