Road crashes increased by 78% during Covid19 lockdown – Report

By Olivia Nabaggala

5^th April 2023

A report by the Researchers from Makerere University has revealed an increase by 78% in road crash fatalities in Kampala from 2020-2021.

The Annual Road Safety for the year 2021 indicates death and serious injuries mostly happened on people aged 20 to 29 years and half of the reported death 49% occurred on Saturday, Sunday and Mondays.

According to crash data ,the highest risk intersections in Kampala include Kalerwe roundabout, Nakulabye intersection, Kisasi, Kyanja road junction, roundabout near Nkumba University, Kampala campus and Bwaise roundabout and the high risk fatal corridors include Entebbe road, Kisaasi Naalya roundabout, Busega- Namungoona roundabout, Gayaza- Kyebando, Gaba road, Kibuye -Nateete road, Jinja road, Masaka road, Bombo road and Hoima road.

The report generated by Makerere University School of public health with support from John Hopkins University also indicates excessive speed as the issue with half of the speeding vehicles clocking speeds of more than 5km/hr above the posted limit.

The report also indicates that low seat belt usage in Kampala at only 41% with adult passengers seat belt at 19%, rear seat belt passengers seat belt use at 2% while child restraint use was almost nonexistent at only 1%.

Bonny Balugaba from Makerere University School of Public Health underscored the need for increased public awareness campaigns and strict law enforcement to promote seat belt and child restraint use.

The Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has appealed to the government to reinstate the national road Safety council and allocate funds in road safety to ensure that its strategy of 2021-2025 is implemented as one way of reducing road crash fatalities.

The Commissioner Licensing Board in the Ministry of Works and Transport Winston Katushabe says that SUV drivers are one of the people that cause Mayhem in the city and this need to be worked upon.

SSP Rogers Kauma Nsereko, the Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Police Commander attributes accidents to people who buy cars after getting money and hit on the roads without going through thorough training, something that poses danger to society.

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