As schools reopen for the third and final term of the 2026 academic year, the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), Uganda Police Force, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the Ministry of Works and Transport have joined forces to improve road safety around schools and protect children from road crashes.
The partners conducted a road safety activity at Peekaboo Primary School in Naguru, Kampala, where they painted a pedestrian lane to create a clearly defined crossing point for school-going children.
The initiative, held under the campaign theme “Safer Kids, Safer Roads, Safer Journeys,” seeks to raise awareness among children, parents, teachers, motorists and the wider community about the need to protect vulnerable road users, particularly children walking to and from school.
The newly marked pedestrian lane is intended to make children more visible to motorists while encouraging drivers to slow down and give priority to pedestrians in school zones.
The intervention comes amid growing concerns over Uganda’s road safety situation.
According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025, road crashes claimed 5,383 lives in 2025, up from 5,144 deaths in 2024, representing a 4.7 percent increase. Serious injuries also increased from 17,013 in 2024 to 18,444 in 2025.
Kampala has also continued to experience a significant road safety burden, with the KCCA Road Safety Report 2025 showing that approximately 407 people died in road crashes in the city.
Police road safety statistics further indicate that two school-going children aged between six and 15 years die every day in road accidents.
SP Michael Kananura the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety spokesperson, said children remain among the most vulnerable road users because of their limited ability to accurately judge the speed and distance of approaching vehicles.
“Children are among the most vulnerable road users because they may not always be able to accurately judge the speed or distance of an approaching vehicle. Our statistics show that 2 school-going children between the ages of 6- 15 years die every day in road accidents,” Kananura said.
He urged motorists to exercise greater caution as schools reopen, particularly during the morning and afternoon peak hours.
“motorists must therefore take extra care around schools slow down, remain alert and respect pedestrian crossings. Road safety is not only the responsibility of the Police; every road user has a role to play in preventing crashes and saving lives,” he said.
ITMS Public Relations Manager Steven Turayarugayo said the initiative demonstrates the importance of partnerships between government institutions and communities in addressing road safety challenges.
“We are proud to work alongside government and community partners because safer roads require collective responsibility, and road signage and marking complemented by EPS technology must translate into practical interventions that make everyday journeys safer,” Turayarugayo said.
According to ITMS, a proposed law on the Express Penalty System (EPS) provides for a 30km/h speed limit around school zones and is awaiting government approval.
The partners said the proposed measure, together with road markings, signage, public education and enforcement, could help reduce the risks faced by children around schools.
KCCA Road Safety Coordinator Jemima Nalumansi said the authority has identified pedestrian infrastructure, including walkways and marked pedestrian crossings, as a key part of its efforts to address road safety challenges in Kampala.
“Providing and maintaining visible pedestrian crossings, walkways and other road safety infrastructure is critical to protecting vulnerable road users. We welcome partnerships such as this with ITMS because improving road safety requires all of us to work together, government institutions, communities, schools, parents, motorists and development partners,” Nalumansi said.
The partners are also using the campaign to remind motorists that the reopening of schools brings increased movement of children and other vulnerable road users on neighbourhood roads, especially during morning and afternoon peak hours.
Barbra Nalweyiso, administrator at Peekaboo Pre-school, welcomed the intervention, saying the school had been identified as one of the road safety “dark spots.”
“We welcome this initiative and now have the relief that our pupils are safe from motorists who don’t slow down or give way to pedestrians,” Nalweyiso said.
“Painting a pedestrian lane at Peekaboo Primary School is therefore more than a road-marking exercise. It is a visible reminder to the entire community that children deserve safer spaces to walk, learn and grow,” she added.
The ITMS, Police, KCCA and Works Ministry partnership is intended to complement enforcement with safer infrastructure, public awareness and responsible road-user behaviour, as Uganda seeks to reduce deaths and injuries on its roads.
