As road fatilities rise, campaigners have called on government authorities to step up enforcement on Uganda’s roads to curb the rising number of fatalities, as the Joe Walker Foundation launched its 60-kilometer Remembrance Relay Walk 2025 at Mulago.
The walk, scheduled for 15, November, is organized under the theme: “Walking to Remember, Walking for Safe Roads”.
It commemorates victims of road crashes while advocating for safer road use, bringing together individuals, families, institutions, and corporate organizations in a symbolic journey.
Speaking at the launch, Joseph Beyanga, popularly known as Joe Walker, highlighted the human cost of Uganda’s road traffic crisis.
“The many years we’ve been on the road less than two weeks ago, 46 people were wiped out in a single incident. Last year alone, 5,144 people were killed, and 11,013 seriously injured. Most of them, their lives will never be the same again,” Walker said.
He blamed reckless driving and poor enforcement for the crisis.
“These deaths are avoidable. They are caused mainly by speeding and reckless overtaking. We had speed cameras rolled out in June, and in the four days they were operational, numbers went down. But where is enforcement now? Roads are dark, narrow, and unsafe, yet people keep traveling at night. We need enforcement that is consistent yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” Walker said.
Walker also called for improved road infrastructure, including signage, road markings, and functional guardrails.
“Roads are not just paved surfaces; they are meant to protect lives. If we don’t address this, every year we’ll continue losing people,” he said.
Dr. Joseph Mubiru, in charge of orthopedics at Mulago, explained the immense burden on hospitals:
“On average, we receive about 800 trauma cases monthly, 60% of which arise from road accidents. Critically ill patients can cost up to Shs 3.5 million per day, and surgery in ICU can reach Shs 13 million. Many victims are young males aged 18–45 — our most productive generation — whose livelihoods are lost,” he said.
Dr. Mubiru praised awareness campaigns like Joe Walker’s for helping reduce casualties:
“If motorists, especially boda boda riders, understand these statistics, it can go a long way in preventing accidents. Most casualties arrive unattended, and awareness can make a significant impact,” he said.
Judith Kara, Senior Road Safety Officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, also emphasized responsible road use:
“As far as our roads are concerned, we acknowledge the challenges. Some roads have been widened, yet crashes continue because of road user behavior. We continue to take responsibility for roads in poor condition, but we call upon the public to use the roads safely,” she said, while applauding Walker’s initiative.
The 60km relay walk will start and end at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala, with participants encouraged to register in teams of six, each covering 10km, or three covering 20km.
Participants are also asked to voluntarily contribute Shs 20,000 to help purchase basic care supplies for road crash victims admitted at Mulago Hospital.
Walker said the walk symbolizes a collective effort to confront Uganda’s road safety crisis.
“Safe roads save lives. Join us in this symbolic journey to remember those who have perished and advocate for safer roads,” he said.
Partners in the initiative include NBS Television, Nicole Foundation, Ministry of Works, Fun Cycling Uganda, Mulago Hospital, and the Orthopedic Society of Uganda.
Joe Walker Foundation alsp visited Mulago Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department, donating medical supplies including wheelchairs, crutches, and other surgical materials to support road crash victims.
