Minister for Works and Transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has launched Safe Steps Phase 3, an initiative to train 6,000 community responders in road safety and first aid.
The Safe Steps campaign, which started on 1st September 2022, was primarily aimed at promoting road safety, first aid, behavioural change, and awareness among boda riders within the Kampala Metropolitan Area, alongside the dissemination of 60-second public service announcement videos and educational posters.
The SAFE STEPS road safety Phase I campaign was successfully concluded on 10th March 2023, after having trained over four thousand (4,000) boda riders in both road safety and first aid within Kampala Metropolitan Area (KMP). The campaign covered the five divisions of Central, Makindye, Rubaga, Nakawa, and Kawempe, along with neighboring towns in Wakiso, Entebbe, and Mukono. The second phase of the campaign trained over 8,000 bodaboda riders both within the Kampala Metropolitan Area, and in upcountry locations such as Mityana, Masaka, Mbale, and Mbarara districts.
Speaking at the launch, Gen. Katumba Wamala emphasized the importance of road safety as a collective responsibility and pledged to mobilize more partners to support the cause. He also announced plans to introduce safe zones around schools, hospitals, and churches to enhance pedestrian safety.
Uganda Red Cross Society Secretary General, Robert Kwesiga, highlighted the campaign’s long-term impact, stating that by its conclusion, over 18,000 community first responders, including boda-boda riders, traffic wardens, and Uganda Police traffic officers, will have been trained.
“This initiative has not only trained thousands but has also provided boda-boda riders with reflector jackets, helmets, and certificates, reinforcing safer riding practices,” Kwesiga stated.
Prudential Uganda’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tetteh Ayitevie, reflected on the campaign’s progress, noting its initial training of 4,000 boda-boda riders in 2022 and its expansion toward the 18,000 target.
“We started by training only 4,000 boda-boda riders in 2022 and yet by the end of SAFE STEPS Phase III, we shall have trained another 6,000, growing the number of community first responders to 18,000 impacted through this campaign,” he remarked.
SP Kananura Michael, Spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, stressed the importance of prioritizing road safety. He revealed that in 2024, road traffic crashes will increase by 2.4%, with 25,107 recorded cases, compared to 23,608 cases in 2023. He also noted that careless overtaking and speeding were responsible for 44.5% of all crashes in 2024.
“Road safety affects everyone and should be given centre stage,” Kananura stressed.
The Safe Steps Road Safety Campaign has now expanded to Arua while continuing its training programs in the Kampala Metropolitan Area, Mbale, and Masaka.
The Road Safety Campaign, which started in 2022, is primarily aimed at promoting road safety, first aid, behavioural change and awareness and has, to date, over 12,000 boda-boda riders in the Kampala Metropolitan Area, Mityana, Masaka, Mbale, and Mbarara districts, is definitely an impact in the society. As road accidents continue to rise, initiatives like Safe Steps Phase 3 are vital in equipping communities with lifesaving skills and promoting a road safety culture across Uganda.