The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has issued a serious warning following a sharp increase in traffic fatalities involving motorcycles, which accounted for 70% of all road deaths recorded last week.
According to Superintendent of Police Michael Kananura, the alarming statistics point to a deepening crisis on Uganda’s roads—one largely driven by preventable human error and rider negligence.
“Riders accounted for 51% of the total fatalities, while passengers made up 19%,” Kananura disclosed, describing the situation as “a serious concern regarding individual responsibility, particularly among riders who are in control of the motorcycles.”
The figures underscore a longstanding pattern of unsafe practices among boda boda riders, including overspeeding, reckless overtaking, failure to wear helmets, and general disregard for traffic regulations.
Kananura urged all road users—particularly motorcyclists and their passengers—to exercise greater caution and prioritize safety.
“We strongly urge all road users to adhere to traffic rules. Riders and passengers must wear crash helmets and follow road regulations to reduce the risk of injury and fatalities,” he said.
Motorcycle-related crashes have consistently been among the leading causes of road deaths in Uganda, especially in high-traffic areas and urban centers. Despite continuous enforcement operations by police, road carnage involving motorcycles remains a major public safety issue.
The Traffic Directorate’s renewed appeal comes amid ongoing road safety campaigns, including sensitization programs in schools and local communities. These programs aim to improve road discipline, promote helmet use, and provide rider training.
According to police, school-based outreach has not only empowered pupils with vital road safety knowledge but has also helped foster stronger relationships between the police and the youth.
As Uganda’s boda boda industry continues to expand, authorities warn that the safety of both riders and passengers must not be compromised for speed or convenience.
“Road safety is not the exclusive responsibility of the police—it is a shared duty of every citizen who operates or rides on a motorcycle,” the police emphasized.
