As Uganda enters another year of collective action for safer roads, the Road Safety Advocacy Coalition Uganda (ROSACU) reflects with pride on a year defined by bold advocacy, strengthened partnerships, and transformative policy gains. Through close collaboration with government institutions, development partners, particularly the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), and a growing network of civil society actors, ROSACU has continued to shape Uganda’s road safety agenda and save lives.
National Leadership and High-Level Commitment
The year 2025 marked a significant milestone in ROSACU’s national influence. This was powerfully affirmed during the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week High-Level Conference (URoSAC) 2025, held on 14–15 May at Munyonyo Speke Resort Hotel. In a keynote address delivered by the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni commended ROSACU, in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), for spearheading initiatives that are reshaping Uganda’s transport safety landscape.
The President recognized the Ministry’s leadership and its close collaboration with ROSACU in advancing evidence-based advocacy, research, and public engagement. These efforts, he noted, have contributed directly to landmark reforms, including the National Transport and Logistics Policy and the National Road Safety Action Plan (2021–2026).
At the same time, President Museveni underscored the urgency of addressing road crashes, revealing that government spends approximately UGX 86.2 billion annually treating road traffic injuries, while affected families often incur costs of up to UGX 7 million in severe cases. Reaffirming government’s commitment, he pledged increased investment in pedestrian infrastructure, public education, stronger law enforcement, and improved emergency medical services. “Road safety is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” he emphasized, calling on all sectors of society to unite behind the cause.
Linking Road Safety to National Development
During the conference, the Vice President Maj. Alupo highlighted how improved road infrastructure under successive national development plans has expanded Uganda’s classified road network from 6,800 km to 159,354 km. Major projects such as the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway, Gulu–Atiak–Nimule Road, Oil Roads in the Albertine Region, and the Jinja Nile Bridge have strengthened trade, regional integration, and economic growth.
However, the Vice President stressed that infrastructure development must go hand in hand with safety. Road crashes, she noted, are not only personal tragedies but national setbacks that disrupt trade, investment, agriculture, and education—reinforcing ROSACU’s long-standing advocacy that safer roads are fundamental to socio-economic progress.
Honouring Victims and Strengthening Prevention Efforts
Dignitaries, Survivors, and other participants during the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
On 16 November 2025, ROSACU and the Ministry of Works and Transport jointly led Uganda’s commemoration of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims at Mulago National Referral Hospital. The event honored lives lost, stood in solidarity with survivors, and reaffirmed strong government and partner commitment to road safety.
A hospital tour at Mulago National Referral Hospital, during the commemoration, highlighted the overwhelming burden of road crashes on Uganda’s health system, reinforcing ROSACU’s core message: prevention, enforcement, and responsible road use are the most effective ways to save lives. The Global Health Advocacy Incubator- GHAI, through ICC Ms. Maria N. Nkalubo, who was present at the event, reaffirmed its continued support for Uganda’s road safety journey through partnership and advocacy.
Road Safety Week 2025.
Another major achievement was Road Safety Week 2025, launched on 18 December at the Namanve Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre under the theme “Safe Vehicles for a Safer Uganda.” ROSACU partnered with MoWT to mobilize the public around vehicle road-worthiness and responsible road use during the high-risk festive season.
The launch featured a live Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) demonstration, signaling The Ministry Of Works and Transport’s commitment to reintroducing mandatory inspections. Activities extended nationwide, including community engagements in Tororo and the commissioning of six renovated zebra crossings in Mbarara City by ROSACU member organizations. These interventions reinforced shared responsibility, promoted compliance, encouraged safer behavior, strengthened partnerships, and emphasized that road crashes are preventable.
Partner Support Driving Policy Wins
At the heart of ROSACU’s achievements since 2023 is its strategic partnership with GHAI, working alongside the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP), government, Uganda Police Force and other stakeholders. According to Ms. Roxanne Paisible, GHAI’s Associate Director of Advocacy, GHAI’s support is grounded in locally led and locally driven advocacy, providing technical, communications, and strategic support that enables coalitions like ROSACU to deliver lasting policy change.
Through GHAI’s collaboration with ROSACU and the government, the country has recorded major national road safety achievements. These include;
- Updated regulations on drink driving, helmets, seatbelts, and child restraints (2023)
- A nearly ten-fold increase in the national road safety budget
- Revised urban speed limits of 30 km/h in high-risk areas (2025)
- Launch of Africa’s first Safe School Zones Policy, mandating protective measures around schools.
Beyond policy reforms, ROSACU and its member organizations have also delivered impactful community-driven and capacity-building initiatives that strengthen road safety advocacy and response across Uganda. These include:
- Six-Month Digital Communications Training on Road Safety: This program strengthened advocacy and public engagement nationwide. It trained 22 road safety communicators, advocates, and ROSACU CEOs, equipping them with skills in strategic messaging, digital campaigning, and evidence-based communication. The training was supported by GHAI and facilitated by Mr. Asim Khan, GHAI’s Associate Director of Communications. This initiative has significantly enhanced ROSACU’s collective capacity to influence public discourse and policy through effective communication.
- Road Safety Marathon (May 2023): Organized by the Legacy Road Safety Initiative, a ROSACU member organization, the marathon raised public awareness on road safety, promoted responsible road use, and mobilized communities around injury prevention and safe mobility.
- Post-Crash Care and Emergency Response: In support of post-crash care, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni donated an ambulance to Road Safety Club – Uganda, significantly enhancing emergency response capacity. This contribution complemented the President’s broader initiative to improve the management of post-crash emergency situations, particularly in Western Uganda, where timely response is critical to saving lives. The Road Safety Club now partners with Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital to deliver post-crash services.
- Other Road Safety Interventions by ROSACU Member Organizations include:
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- The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with RiTTi and Uganda Professional Drivers’ Network – UPDN, initiated an M-Pox vaccination campaign targeting transporters, high-risk groups, and key districts in Uganda. Peer educators and district health officers were trained.
- A blood donation drive by Twezimbe Women Bodaboda in partnership with Mengo Hospital and Honda Uganda.
- A drug and alcohol awareness campaign by the United Nations Associations of Uganda.
- Safe School Zone initiatives conducted by STASSU, URRENO and Safe Way Right Way. Safe Way Right Way also conducted a series of First aid response trainings across different regions of the country.
- Helmet and reflector compliance research by TRASAO.
- East and Southern African VIP driver training by Responsive Drivers Uganda.
- Post-crash response training by Vision for Trauma Care Uganda.
These interventions, among others, reflect ROSACU’s broad commitment to a multi-faceted approach to road safety, combining advocacy, capacity building, community engagement, research, and emergency response.
Looking Ahead
With a new ROSACU Strategic Plan (2025–2030), the coalition is prepared for even stronger action. Ms. Paisible emphasized that everyone has a role to play—community advocates, parents, teachers, youth leaders, journalists, and policymakers—in ensuring policies are fully adopted, implemented, and enforced.
She further noted that road safety is the leading cause of death for children and youth aged 5–29 globally, and with nearly 80% of Uganda’s population under 35, protecting young people is both a public health and national development priority. Through continued collaboration under the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety, GHAI looks forward to deepening its support for ROSACU’s work on safer journeys to school, safer speed policies, and boda boda safety, including access to quality helmets.
ROSACU Chairperson Mr. Fred Tumwiine has consistently emphasized that while policies are in place, implementation and behavior change remain critical. “Road safety must remain a national priority,” he notes, calling on all road users and stakeholders to play their part.
A Celebratory Yet Resolute Future
As ROSACU enters another year, 2026, the mood is celebratory—but resolute. The coalition’s achievements demonstrate what is possible when evidence-based advocacy, strong partnerships, and political will align in the public interest. With continued government leadership, partner technical support, and the dedication of members nationwide, Chair Tumwiine reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to one goal: ensuring that every road user in Uganda can travel safely-today and for generations to come.