'Mandatory first aid training could curb road deaths'

KAMPALA - The Uganda Red Cross Society has called for mandatory first aid training for all Ugandans, warning that a lack of basic emergency skills continues to cost lives, particularly in road accidents.

Speaking during the launch of Uganda Breweries Limited’s (UBL) Eyo Red Card campaign at Skyz Hotel in Kampala on April 4, 2025, Red Cross secretary general Robert Kwesiga said too many Ugandans die before professional help can reach them.

“The majority of road accident victims die in the first hour after the crash, often because no one around them knows what to do,” he said. “When ambulances are delayed or unavailable, the real solution lies in each of us. First aid should be a basic life skill, not a professional’s job alone.”

Kwesiga called on the government, schools, workplaces, and faith-based institutions to make first aid training accessible.

“We’re losing people not just because of how they got injured, but because no one around them knew what to do,” he noted. “First aid should be everywhere—taught in schools, practised in homes, and embedded in our daily lives.”

The Eyo Red Card initiative, launched ahead of the Easter holiday season, aims to combat alcohol abuse and drink-driving—two major contributors to Uganda’s high road traffic fatality rate. It also places emphasis on community safety and personal accountability.

Kwesiga called on the government, schools, workplaces, and faith-based institutions to make first aid training accessible. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

According to the Uganda Police Annual Traffic Report 2024, 2,867 Ugandans under the age of 35 died in road crashes last year, accounting for more than half of all traffic-related deaths. Alcohol abuse was cited as a major factor.

UBL’s corporate relations director, Sheila Sabune, said the campaign is rooted in saving lives, especially during high-risk periods when alcohol consumption spikes.

“Alcohol is often consumed in celebration, but the moment it threatens lives, we must act,” she said. “We want Ugandans to think differently about their drinking habits, especially during festive seasons like Easter, when accidents tend to increase.”

Uganda’s alcohol consumption remains among the highest in Africa. The World Health Organization reports that Ugandans consume an average of 12.21 litres of pure alcohol per person annually—nearly double the continental average.

A 2024 report by the Ministry of Health also revealed that 62.7% of Ugandans drink alcohol, with many indulging more than three times a week.

To address the dangers posed by excessive and irresponsible drinking, the campaign is being rolled out through both digital platforms and in-person engagements at bars, clubs, universities, and communities nationwide.

Brenda Kobutungi, UBL’s positive drinking and communication manager, said the initiative goes beyond awareness and slogans.

“We’re encouraging people to drink water between alcoholic beverages, eat before drinking, and avoid peer pressure,” she said. “Most importantly, we want Ugandans to know when to raise the red card—when to stop, when to intervene, and when to walk away.”

Tesfalem Gerantu, chairperson of the Bar and Club Association of Uganda, emphasised that the hospitality sector must play its part.

“If someone has been drinking, they shouldn’t drive. Period,” he said. “As bar owners, we must promote safe transport options and encourage patrons to leave their cars behind if necessary. It’s a mindset we must all embrace.”

The campaign draws inspiration from the red card in football—used to penalise misconduct. In this context, it’s a bold metaphor: reckless drinking gets you benched.