In the last five years, Uganda has witnessed a distressing trend in road fatalities, with over 21,000 lives lost due to road accidents, as reported by the latest police annual crime report. The report, released recently, paints a grim picture of road safety in the country, indicating a concerning rise in fatalities, reaching a peak of 4,806 deaths in the past year alone.
This surge in road accidents has been persistent since 2019, with fatalities steadily climbing each year. In 2019, there were 3,880 deaths, which rose to 4,534 in 2022 before hitting the alarming figure of 4,806 in the latest report. Moreover, the number of serious injuries resulting from these accidents has also seen a worrying increase, with the total tallying to 16,736 in 2023, up from 9,635 in 2019.
The report reveals a 16% spike in reported accidents on Ugandan roads, jumping from 20,394 in 2022 to 23,608 in 2023. Among these incidents, 4,179 were fatal, 12,487 were categorized as serious, and 6,942 were minor crashes. The Greater Kampala Metropolitan area, comprising districts such as Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso, reported the highest number of accidents, totaling 9,861. Other regions like Rwizi, West Nile, Albertine, and Greater Masaka also recorded significant accident figures.
Vehicle involvement in these accidents is staggering, with 37,449 vehicles implicated, motorcycles being the most prevalent at 13,386, followed by motorcars at 10,398 and omnibuses at 2,663. Disturbingly, December registered the highest number of crashes, while July witnessed the highest fatality rate, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance during these periods.
Analysis of the causes behind these accidents points to several factors, with overspeeding and careless overtaking leading the list at 6,297 and 5,933 crashes, respectively. Following too closely behind other vehicles accounted for 1,211 crashes, while other contributing factors included unknown causes, reckless pedestrian behavior, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Commenting on the report, Lawrence Niwabiine, the Traffic Police director, expressed concern over the consistent rise in road fatalities, particularly among individuals below 35 years old, who constitute a significant portion of the workforce. Niwabiine highlighted the role of motorcycles, commonly known as boda bodas, in contributing to the escalating fatality rates, underscoring the vulnerability of pedestrians and cyclists.
In response to these troubling statistics, Niwabiine urged all road users to exercise caution and responsibility while traversing Ugandan roads. The need for concerted efforts from both authorities and citizens to enforce road safety measures and promote responsible behavior remains paramount in curbing the devastating toll of road accidents on Ugandan lives.
