Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) has taken decisive action to curb motorcycle-related accidents by training and equipping over 150 Boda Boda operators with safety gear in Luzira, Kampala.
The initiative, part of UBL’s Safety Awareness Week, offered riders comprehensive road safety training alongside helmets and high-visibility reflector jackets to enhance protection and visibility during daily operations.
Motorcycle accidents remain Uganda’s leading cause of road fatalities. According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2024, motorcyclists accounted for 1,720 deaths—a 13.2% increase from 2023—while total motorcycle-related deaths, including passengers, rose to 2,396, representing nearly 47% of all road traffic fatalities.
Overall, 5,144 people died in road crashes in 2024, with total casualties reaching 25,808. Careless overtaking and speeding were identified as the leading causes, accounting for 44.5% of crashes, with the annual economic cost estimated at shs4.4 trillion (USD 1.2 billion), or 5% of GDP.
During the training, Boda Boda operators learned defensive riding techniques, traffic sign recognition, proper use of safety gear, safe overtaking procedures, speed management, and compliance with traffic regulations.
Anthony Alozie, UBL Supply Chain Director, emphasized the initiative’s alignment with the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy.
“We consider health and safety a fundamental human right. By equipping riders with protective gear and road safety knowledge, we aim to help reduce Uganda’s rising motorcycle fatalities,” Alozie said. He also highlighted UBL’s robust internal safety culture, noting years of incident-free operations and stringent safety protocols, even as a beverage manufacturer.
AIGP Lawrence Niwabiine, Director of Traffic and Road Safety at the Uganda Police Force, applauded UBL’s intervention.
“Partnerships between the private sector and law enforcement are essential in reducing road carnage. We encourage other corporations to follow UBL’s example,” he said.
Boda Boda rider Hakim Wanswadhee expressed gratitude, noting that the training and equipment would significantly improve safety for him and his passengers.
UBL’s road safety initiative forms part of its broader commitment to promoting safety among employees and the community, recognizing Boda Boda riders as critical mobility providers across Uganda.
With motorcyclists and passengers accounting for nearly half of road fatalities, interventions like this have the potential to save hundreds of lives annually while safeguarding the livelihoods of Uganda’s informal transport sector.
