More than 8,000 boda-boda riders have been equipped with essential road safety and first aid skills, following the successful conclusion of the six-month prudential safe steps road safety campaign.
The campaign, a collaboration between Prudence Foundation, Prudential Uganda, and the Uganda Red Cross Society, covered Central, Western, and Eastern Uganda, specifically targeting the five divisions within the Kampala Metropolitan Area, as well as Mbarara, Mbale, Masaka, and Mityana districts.
Launched on October 31, 2023, the second phase of the Safe steps campaign built on its initial successes by expanding its focus on road safety, first aid, and behavioral change among boda boda riders.
Alongside hands-on training, the campaign disseminated public service announcement videos, educational posters, and engaged with the media on key road safety topics such as drunk driving, distracted driving, seat belt use, speed limits, and pedestrian safety.
Since its inception in Uganda, the Safe steps campaign has reached over 12,000 boda boda riders.
At the closing event, Prudential Uganda’s Chief Executive Officer, Tetteh Ayitevie, expressed gratitude and confidence in the campaign’s impact.
“We are incredibly proud of the positive impact the SAFE STEPS campaign has had on the boda boda communities, as evidenced by their shared experiences and understanding of road safety and first aid skills. This initiative is deeply rooted in our sustainability ambition, delivering real-world impact and building long-term resilience in the communities we serve,” Ayitevie said.
“Road safety is a critical issue, and through our collective efforts, we have made significant strides in educating the public and promoting safer driving practices. Our commitment to road safety does not end here; we will continue to support initiatives aimed at reducing road accidents and saving lives.”
According to the Uganda Police Annual Performance Report 2023, there were 23,608 road traffic crashes, with motorcycles contributing 36% (13,386) of these incidents, followed by motor cars at 28% (10,398).
The road crash fatalities by road user category showed that motorcycle riders and their passengers accounted for 45% of the total fatalities recorded in 2023, followed by pedestrians at 37% (1,795), vehicle occupants at 15% (737), and pedal cyclists at 3% (140) of all fatalities.
Uganda Red Cross Society’s Secretary General, Robert Kwesiga, praised Prudential Uganda for sustaining the Safe steps Phase II initiative, which has trained and sensitized over 8,000 boda-boda riders on road safety and first aid.
“At URCS, we are committed to road safety and recognize the rapid escalation of Uganda’s road safety crisis, calling for urgent need for sustained road safety education and sensitization efforts to reduce accidents and save lives.”
Since 2019, URCS has been implementing a response to Public Health Emergencies program funded by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Health, aimed at improving emergency medical services along major highways by providing timely response to casualties of Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) through a fleet of 21 ambulances.
Prudential Uganda’s partnership with URCS through the SAFE STEPS campaign is therefore accelerating the URCS’ mandate to save lives.
