The State Minister of Works and Transport (MoWT), Francis Musa Ecweru together with other stakeholders have launched the National Road Safety week aimed at raising awareness against road accidents at Kyambogo Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) on Tuesday December 6, 2022.
The Road safety Campaign week that started on Monday 5th December, is expected to end on 9th December 2022, with emphasis on boda boda safety under the theme “Together for Boda Boda Safety.”
While speaking at the event, Ecweru noted that in order for the government to reverse the boda boda epidemic, it has to first sensitize them on all statutory requirements to operate.
“We have a duty to organize this industry, sensitize them, train and ensure that the riders have all the statutory requirements to operate,” Ecweru said.
He assured the stakeholders that government will be taking a lead in improving Boda Boda safety on Ugandan Roads which is timely considering the growing number of fatal crashes involving Boda Bodas.
“As a state minister in charge of transport, I assure you that we are committed as a government to create an enabling environment for development to take place,” Ecweru stated.
Mr. Bageya Waiswa, the Permanent Secretary in the MoWT added that this years’ road safety awareness campaigns and other activities will continue till February 2023 to ensure more visibility and awareness.
According to Eng. David Luyimbazi the Kampala Capital City Authority Deputy Executive Director, the focus is on training in order to provide mass awareness to the riders, get certificate of completion and later a driving permit.
Luyimbazi added that Boda Boda riders will be riding from gazetted areas to avoid chaos and congestion and they will be having jackets wit a QR code in order to reduce the crime rate related to the riders.
Safi Alema Tiyo, a Boda Boda riders’ representative asked all riders to be united and ensure that they sensitize other colleagues on how to ride safely on roads.
Stakeholders present were, representatives from Uganda Police, Centre for Police, KCCA, UNRA, Road Safety Advocacy Coalition Uganda among others.
