AIGP Lawrence Niwabiine speaking to stakeholders in Luwero Town.
Luwero-The Uganda Police Force and stakeholders have agreed on the 13-point strategy aimed at reducing the growing number of road accidents in the Savannah Region.
According to the 2025 Police Annual Crime Report, a total of 26,044 road crashes were recorded across the country, claiming 4,062 lives. Of these fatalities, 233 occurred in the Savannah Region, highlighting the urgent need for stronger road safety interventions.
In response to the alarming statistics, the Director of Traffic and Road Safety, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Lawrence Niwabiine, convened a community road safety sensitization and awareness meeting under the theme, “Community Involvement in Road Safety,” at Bukenya Foundation Hall in Kakolo Zone, Luwero Town Council, Luwero District.
The meeting brought together a cross-section of stakeholders, including religious and political leaders, representatives of taxi, truck and boda-boda operators, teachers, industrialists, market vendors, and members of the local community.
During the engagement, police and stakeholders identified the leading causes of road crashes in the Savannah Region. These include narrow roads, drunk driving, vehicle modifications, overspeeding, drug abuse, poor mechanical condition of vehicles, failure to use protective gear, careless driving, and overloading.
Niwabine urged all road users to adopt responsible road-use behaviour, strictly observe traffic regulations, and become ambassadors for road safety within their communities.
Savannah Regional Police spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima said the meeting resolved on several interventions aimed at preventing road crashes and improving emergency response after accidents.
Among the 13 recommendations are the installation of traffic surveillance cameras along major roads and the active involvement of key stakeholders, including the ministries of Health, Works and Transport, Education, and Local Government, as well as cultural leaders, universities and other government agencies.
Other proposed measures include intensified road safety awareness campaigns in public places, strengthening post-crash emergency care systems, improving road design and maintenance, and conducting regular inspections to ensure vehicles are roadworthy.
The recommendations also call for improved urban planning, provision of road safety teaching materials in schools, training and licensing of boda-boda riders, issuance of operating permits, and the appointment of dedicated road safety officers to coordinate safety initiatives.
Niwabine emphasized that lasting behavioural change among all road users remains critical to reducing road crashes, preventing avoidable deaths and injuries, and making Uganda’s roads safer for everyone.
”The Director concluded by urging everyone to actively participate in road safety efforts and to regard road safety as a shared responsibility. Community involvement is essential in reducing road crashes and improving overall road safety,” Twiineamazima said.
Despite the comprehensive recommendations, stakeholders acknowledged that the biggest challenge remains the implementation of road safety measures. They noted that weak enforcement and delayed implementation of agreed interventions continue to undermine efforts to reduce road crashes in the Savannah Region
