As schools reopen for Term II, road safety experts have urged school authorities to employ traffic wardens to assist students in crossing roads, especially during peak hours, to protect them from accidents on busy streets.
The call comes amid alarming statistics: according to the 2025 Annual Traffic and Road Safety Report, two school-going children die every day on Ugandan roads, while 15 people are killed daily in road accidents nationwide.
The warning was reinforced during the launch of the “Safe Kids, Safe Future” campaign report at Hotel Africana by the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS).
The campaign, conducted between November 2025 and April 2026, reached approximately 9,700 pupils in 12 primary schools across Kampala, Mbale, Fort Portal, and Mbarara.
The joint report, produced with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the Ministry of Works and Transport, highlighted the persistent gaps in road safety for children.
Poor road infrastructure, inadequate signage, unsafe motorcycle use near schools, and minimal parental involvement were identified as key contributors to accidents and fatalities.
While presenting the report, Owen Muhumuza, Stakeholder Engagement Officer at ITMS, said the campaign has had a positive impact.
“We distributed 4,000 helmets and reflective jackets and conducted practical road-crossing exercises at schools including Buganda Road and Kibuye Primary. Pupils now show increased understanding of traffic signs, improved behavior, and the formation of road safety clubs,” he said.
Muhumuza, however, pointed out that gaps in road safety knowledge among students still persist.
“During field visits, we observed unsafe road crossings, limited practical knowledge, traffic congestion at school gates, poor road conditions, and low parental involvement in road safety messages.”
Michael Kamoga Road Safety Officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport said the Ministry is finalizing laws to protect school zones and ensure children can cross roads safely.
Sp Michael Kananura, the Traffic Police PR Officer emphasized the urgency of action.
“Children are among the most vulnerable road users, and 95% of accidents are caused by human behavior. Simple measures, such as traffic wardens, can save lives,” he said.
School headteachers also pledged to include road safety in their budgets and employ traffic wardens to guide children during peak hours.
Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting safer roads and expanding road safety education nationwide, calling for the campaign to reach more schools and communities.
The report further recommends that riders and parents be sensitized on the importance of helmet use and safe transport practices. It further calls for the reporting of road hazards and advocacy for road repairs and improved drainage.
Community leadership and local media should be engaged to promote road safety awareness. The government should make road safety gear, such as helmets, seat belts, and reflective jackets, more affordable by exempting them from taxes.
Additionally, government and police authorities should enforce regulations on the use of child restraints and helmets by drivers and riders. Schools are encouraged to incorporate road safety messages into daily communications with pupils, including parades and assemblies.
