Road Safety: Gen Katumba Launches Safe Steps Phase 3 to Train 6000 Community Responders

General Edward Katumba Wamala, Minister for Works and Transport, has launched the Safe Steps Phase 3 initiative, aiming to train 6000 first community responders in road safety and first aid skills.

The Safe Steps Road Safety Campaign, funded by Prudence Foundation and implemented by the Uganda Redcross Society (URCS), seeks to promote road safety, first aid, behavioral change, and awareness. Since its inception in 2022, the campaign has trained over 12,000 boda-boda riders in various districts.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.19 million people die annually due to road traffic crashes, with road traffic injuries being the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years.

Gen. Katumba Wamala emphasized that road safety is everyone’s responsibility and pledged to mobilize more partners to join the road safety drive. He also announced plans to introduce safe zones for schools, hospitals, and churches.

The Uganda Red Cross Society’s Secretary General Robert Kwesiga noted that by the end of the campaign, over 18,000 community first responders, including boda-boda riders, traffic wardens, and Uganda Police traffic officers, will have been trained and sensitized on road safety and first aid.

He said the initiative has also provided boda-boda riders with reflector jackets, certificates, and helmets to promote road safety.

Prudential Uganda’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tetteh Ayitevie said,  the campaign started by training only 4,000 boda-boda riders in 2022 with a target of  growing the number of community first responders to 18,000 impacted through the campaign. 

“Road safety continues to remain a critical issue, and through our collective efforts, we have made significant strides in educating the public and promoting safer driving practices through facilitating both the trainings but also mass media educative road safety behavioral change messages.”

“Our commitment to road safety does not end here; we will continue to support initiatives aimed at reducing road traffic crashes to save more lives,” Ayitevie added.

SP Kananura Michael, the Spokesperson, Directorate of Traffic and Road safety acknowledged that road safety affects everyone and should be given centre stage. 

He revealed that in 2024, Road traffic crashes increased by 2.4% to 25,107 cases compared to 23,608 cases in 2023. Careless overtaking and speeding were the leading causes of road crashes in 2024, accounting for 44.5% of all crashes.

The campaign has expanded to Arua and will maintain trainings in Kampala Metropolitan Area, Mbale, and Masaka.