When Ugandan authorities announced plans in November 2025 to lower the national highway speed limit from 100 km/h to 90 km/h, the move signaled a major shift in road safety policy. That shift was the result of sustained advocacy and evidence-based engagement by government, civil society, and development partners—and it is now steadily becoming a reality.
The Ministry of Works and Transport has begun updating speed limit signage on key highways, with nationwide completion targeted for mid-2026. Traffic Police say enforcement will fully align with the new limits once the rollout is complete, addressing long-standing inconsistencies between posted signs and safety recommendations.
The revised framework maintains a tiered approach: 30 km/h in high-pedestrian zones such as schools and hospitals, 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on highways, and 100 km/h on expressways. These limits are supported by global and local crash survival data, including evidence that pedestrians struck at 30 km/h have a dramatically higher chance of survival.
The introduction of the 30 km/h limit in high-risk areas was strongly championed by the Road Safety Advocacy Coalition Uganda – ROSACU, which has for years pushed for safer speed management through public campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and policy dialogue. With technical and strategic support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator – GHAI ROSACU helped elevate road safety as a public health priority, using data on fatalities, injuries, and economic loss to inform the policy. By February 14, 2025, Uganda’s new speed limit regulations took effect, prioritizing safety and protecting communities in high-risk zones.
A key implementation milestone has been the expansion of the Electronic Penalty System. Since early 2026, automated speed cameras and digital ticketing have been piloted on selected highways, reducing reliance on manual enforcement and improving consistency and transparency.
The urgency of the reforms is underscored by national data. In 2024, Uganda recorded more than 25,000 road crashes, resulting in 4,434 deaths and over 25,800 injuries. Early observations suggest improved driver compliance in areas where new signage and automated enforcement are already in place.
As implementation continues, authorities and road safety advocates agree that lasting impact will depend not only on technology and penalties but also on a broader cultural shift toward responsible driving. Slower speeds remain one of the most effective and proven ways to save lives on Uganda’s roads.