Government moves to improve roads, curb accidents

8 April 2025, 10:57 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

In fulfillment of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s commitment to spearheading the modernisation and improvement of infrastructure in Uganda as a way of enabling households to create wealth and jobs, the Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, recently launched the construction of the Kabwoya–Buhuka road in Kikuube district.

“I have on behalf of the President, officially launched the Kabwoya–Buhuka road construction in Kikuube district. This road falls under the Critical Oil Package 6A and covers a distance of 43 kilometers through the areas of Kabwoya–Kisaru–Wairagaza–Ngogole–Kyangwali to Buhuka. We call upon local leaders and the community to support the successful implementation of this project, which will be executed by CRSG Uganda over a period of 36 months,” she said.

According to the 2023 Police Crime Report, road crashes increased by 16%, from 20,394 cases in 2022 to 23,608 cases in 2023. Of the total crashes reported in 2023, 4,179 were fatal, 12,489 were serious, and 6,942 were minor. The report also indicated 24,728 casualties from road crashes in 2023, compared to 21,473 in 2022, representing a 15% increase.

However, the 2024 report showed promising progress in efforts to combat road crashes. In light of this, experts have appealed to the government to further improve the road network as a way to prevent both traffic accidents and aggravated robberies, particularly on highways.

In 2023, a total of 50 cases of aggravated robbery, especially involving motor vehicles, were registered, down from 81 cases in 2022, marking a decrease of 31 cases. By the end of 2023, nine cases had been taken to court.

Faizo Lule Sebirumbi, chairman of Namayiba Taxi Park, urged road users especially taxi drivers to be extra vigilant. “In this rainy season, I appeal to all road users, especially our taxi drivers, to be more careful. The weather conditions are not friendly, so we need to be extra cautious as we transport our clients. Speed kills. Please follow the traffic guidelines,” he said.

Lule also urged taxi owners to regularly maintain their vehicles. “Some road crashes are preventable. I ask taxi owners to service their vehicles at least once a week, and ensure they are fitted with good-quality tyres,” he emphasised.

In a related development, the Prime Minister recently tasked the city engineer to ensure that contractors speed up their work to improve road infrastructure in a timely manner.