Uganda Railways Corporation (URC), in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Transport and Safe Way Right Way Uganda, has launched a rail-road safety awareness campaign aimed at educating motorists, pedestrians and other road users on the safe use of railway level crossings and the railway corridor.
The intervention follows recent railway accidents, including the fatal collision between a train and a bus carrying students on a school trip in Mukono, which claimed lives and left many others injured.
Speaking during the launch, URC Public Relations Manager Paul Mununu said the campaign seeks to promote responsible behaviour among road users, noting that rail-road safety cannot be achieved through infrastructure alone.
“Rail-road safety cannot be achieved only through the physical installations. Other stakeholders, especially road users, should be aware of their responsibility, and that is the reason for the sensitisation drive,” Mununu said.
He quoted URC Managing Director Benon Kajuna, who noted that although train accidents are rare across the world, they are often devastating when they occur.
“Accidents involving trains across the globe are rare, but very destructive when they happen,” Kajuna said, urging motorists and other road users to exercise caution whenever they approach railway crossings.
Kajuna also warned pedestrians against using railway tracks as walkways, saying the practice exposes them to unnecessary danger.
“Those who insist on using the railway line should always ensure that they are aware of their surroundings,” he said.
The campaign attracted leaders of various transport associations, who joined URC in calling for greater compliance with railway safety regulations.
As part of the awareness drive, URC advised motorists to always stop behind boom barriers at railway crossings and never park in front of or beneath them, as doing so can prevent the barriers from lowering properly.
The corporation also urged road users to obey all instructions at railway crossings, reduce speed when approaching the crossings to allow enough time to assess the surroundings, and never attempt to cross when a train is approaching.
According to URC, the campaign is intended to reduce accidents, save lives and improve public awareness on the safe use of Uganda’s railway infrastructure
