KAMPALA, Uganda: 23 MAY 2026— A major inter-agency coalition has successfully delivered vital road safety education to nearly 10,000 primary school students across Uganda, according to a joint report released Friday.
The “Safe Kids, Safe Future” campaign, which ran from November 2025 to April 2026, represents a massive collaborative effort between the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda Police Force, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), and the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS).
By targeting young learners, the initiative aims to curb pedestrian accidents and cultivate a generation of responsible road users.
The campaign directly engaged approximately 9,700 pupils across 12 primary schools in four major urban centers: Kampala, Mbale, Fort Portal, and Mbarara. Through interactive educational sessions, the initiative successfully boosted students’ understanding of traffic signs, pedestrian behavior, and safe road-crossing techniques.
To ensure the lessons stuck, stakeholders distributed over 4,035 pieces of practical road safety gear and educational materials, including:Reflective vests and arm bracelets for high visibility, Child-appropriate crash helmets, Educational bookmarks, and The establishment of dedicated school road safety clubs.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Kampala, Lawrence Niwabine, the Director of Traffic and Road Safety for the Uganda Police Force, praised the community-based approach.
”We have observed increased awareness among pupils regarding pedestrian safety, road signs, and safe crossing practices,” Niwabine said. “The recommendation to strengthen school road safety clubs and install more road signage near schools is timely and necessary.”
Susan Kataike, spokesperson for the Ministry of Works and Transport, echoed these sentiments, stressing that early intervention is key to long-term behavioral change.
”The enthusiasm demonstrated by pupils and teachers confirms that awareness programmes like these must be continuous and expanded to more schools across the country,” Kataike stated, adding that protecting children on the roads must remain a strict national priority.
Beyond education, the campaign’s final report cast a sharp spotlight on the physical dangers children face daily. Representatives from KCCA acknowledged that teaching children how to cross the road is only half the battle; the infrastructure itself must change.
Daniel Nuwabine, speaking on behalf of KCCA, highlighted an urgent need for enhanced pedestrian infrastructure, particularly around high-traffic school zones. He noted that KCCA welcomes recommendations to improve road signage and pedestrian facilities to make urban zones safer for young learners.
The private sector and technological arms of the partnership also viewed the campaign as a blueprint for the future. Steven Turyarugayo, Public Relations Consultant at ITMS, emphasized that modern road safety relies on a triple threat: education, strategic partnerships, and technology.
”Through initiatives like these, we are building a generation that appreciates safer road-use behaviour and the role of digital road safety solutions,” Turyarugayo noted.
With the initial phase of the “Safe Kids, Safe Future” campaign wrapped up, the stakeholders jointly reaffirmed their commitment to making road safety education an ongoing national effort, vowing to expand the program to more schools nationwide.
