Uganda’s Rising Road Traffic Accidents: A Statistical Overview and the Need for Innovative Solutions like SCEAP

SCEAP (pronounced SKIP) is our road safety initiative to have everybody “Stop, Check, Educate/Engage, Act, Promote/Protect”– hence, SCEAP, as a road safety lifestyle. Here’s Why 👇

The recently released Uganda Police Force’s Annual Crime Report for 2024 reveals a concerning trend: while overall crime rates have decreased by 4.1%, road traffic accidents and related casualties have continued to rise. The report highlights a 6.4% increase in road crashes, from 23,608 in 2023 to 25,107 in 2024. Fatal crashes also rose by 6.1%, and minor crashes increased by 8.6%. The total number of casualties from road crashes reached 25,808, marking a 4.4% increase from the previous year. These statistics paint a grim picture of Uganda’s road safety situation, raising urgent questions about the underlying causes and potential solutions.

Key Traffic Statistics from the 2024 Crime Report

• Road Crashes: Increased by 6.4% (25,107 crashes in 2024).
• Fatal Crashes: Increased by 6.1% (4,434 fatal crashes in 2024).
• Casualties: Increased by 4.4% (25,808 casualties in 2024).
• Fatalities: Increased by 7% (5,144 deaths in 2024).
• Serious Injuries: Decreased slightly by 1.7% (17,013 serious injuries in 2024).
• Minor Injuries: Increased by 14.6% (3,651 minor injuries in 2024).

The report also highlights that motorcyclists, pedestrians, and pedal cyclists—classified as vulnerable road users—accounted for 84% of all road traffic deaths in 2024. Motorcyclists and their passengers alone made up 47% of these fatalities, while pedestrians accounted for 34%. This underscores the vulnerability of non-vehicle users on Uganda’s roads.

Major Reasons for the Increase in Road Accidents

1. Careless Driving and Speeding: The report identifies careless overtaking and speeding as the leading causes of road crashes, accounting for nearly 44.5% of all accidents. Despite enforcement efforts, many drivers continue to flout traffic laws, leading to preventable collisions.
2. Poor Vehicle Conditions: A significant number of vehicles on Ugandan roads are not in good mechanical condition. The report notes that 84,156 offenders were arrested for using vehicles that were not roadworthy, making up 19.7% of all traffic offenses.
3. Lack of Protective Gear: Many motorcyclists and their passengers do not wear crash helmets, despite it being a legal requirement. In 2024, 32,308 offenders were arrested for riding motorcycles without helmets, contributing to the high number of fatalities among motorcyclists.
4. Drunk Driving: Although the number of offenders arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol was relatively low (227 cases), drunk driving remains a significant risk factor for road accidents, especially during nighttime.
5. Pedestrian Vulnerability: Pedestrians accounted for 34% of all road traffic deaths, with 44% of pedestrian fatalities occurring while crossing the road. Poor road infrastructure, lack of pedestrian crossings, and reckless driving contribute to these tragic incidents.
6. Inadequate Road Safety Awareness: While the Uganda Police Force has conducted road safety awareness campaigns, the reach and impact of these initiatives may not be sufficient to change driver behavior on a large scale.

The Need for Innovative Solutions: Introducing SCE

Given the persistent rise in road traffic accidents, there is an urgent need for innovative, technology-driven solutions to enhance road safety. One such initiative is SCEAP (Stop. Check. Educate/Engage. Act. Promote/Protect.), a road safety awareness initiative backed by technology, information, and digital media. SCEAP aims to address the root causes of road accidents by leveraging digital tools to educate and engage the public on road safety practices.

How SCEAP Will Help

1. Technology-Driven Awareness Campaigns: SCEAP will utilize social media platforms, a mobile app, and SMS campaigns to disseminate road safety information to a wider audience. By targeting vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, pedestrians, and school children, SCEAP will raise awareness about the importance of wearing helmets, using pedestrian crossings, and adhering to speed limits.
2. Real-Time Data Collection and Analysis: SCEAP will integrate with existing road crash databases to collect real-time data on accident hotspots, causes, and trends. This data will be used to deploy targeted enforcement measures and improve road infrastructure through the SCEAP app.
3. Community Engagement: SCEAP will work closely with local councils, religious leaders, schools and community-based organizations to take road safety messages to the everyone. By involving community leaders, SCEAP will foster a culture of road safety and encourage behavioral change among all road users.
4. Driver Education and Training: SCEAP will partner with driving schools and traffic police to provide training programs for drivers, especially those operating public service vehicles. These programs will focus on defensive driving techniques, the dangers of speeding, and the importance of vehicle maintenance.
5. Public-Private Partnerships: SCEAP will collaborate with sector stakeholders, such as Ministry of Works and Transport, garages and motor mechanics, Driver licensing etc. to promote road safety initiatives. For example, UDLS could offer discounts to drivers who complete road safety training programs.

Why SCEAP?

By adopting a multi-faceted approach that combines enforcement, education, and technology, Uganda can work towards achieving its goal of safer roads and a significant reduction in traffic-related fatalities. The time to act is now, and initiatives like SCEAP offer a promising path forward. SCEAP kicks off with a 100 Days Road Safety Awareness campaign. 

A nationwide initiative bringing together communities, authorities, and road users to transform our traffic safety culture. From education to enforcement, infrastructure to innovation, we’re taking action every day for 100 days. Because every life matters, every journey counts.
Get involved. Stay informed. Save lives. We hope you’ll join us to take the SCEAP Creed

#SafeRoads100 #SCEAP100″