KAMPALA, Uganda: 13 September 2026— As schools across the country prepare to open for the third and final term of the 2026 academic year, key stakeholders have joined forces to improve safety for school-going children. The Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), in partnership with the Uganda Police Force, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), and the Ministry of Works and Transport, will undertake a dedicated road safety activity at Peekaboo Primary School in Naguru.
The initiative, centered on painting a designated pedestrian crossing, falls under the campaign theme: “Safer Kids, Safer Roads, Safer Journeys.” It aims to heighten awareness among motorists, parents, teachers, and pupils about protecting vulnerable road users.
Rising Road Fatalities Demand Action
The intervention comes amid troubling national and regional road safety data:
National Fatality Rise: According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025, road traffic deaths rose to 5,383 in 2025 from 5,144 in 2024 (a 4.7% increase), while serious injuries grew from 17,013 to 18,444.
Kampala Specifics: The 2025 KCCA road safety report indicated approximately 407 road fatalities in the city.
Child Mortality: Police statistics reveal that an average of two school-going children (ages 6 to 15) die every day due to road traffic accidents.
Key driver behaviors such as speeding, reckless overtaking, and general non-compliance with traffic regulations remain primary drivers of these incidents. To curb speeding, ITMS noted that a proposed law under the Express Penalty System (EPS) is pending government approval to mandate a 30 km/h speed limit around school zones.
Stakeholders Emphasize Collective Responsibility
Representatives from the partner entities highlighted the need for infrastructure improvements alongside strict enforcement and behavioral changes:
Steven Turayarugayo (Public Relations Manager, ITMS): “We are proud to work alongside government and community partners because safer roads require collective responsibility, and road signage and marking complemented by EPS technology must translate into practical interventions that make everyday journeys safer.”
SP Michael Kananura (Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, Uganda Police Force): “Children are among the most vulnerable road users because they may not always be able to accurately judge the speed or distance of an approaching vehicle… Motorists must therefore take extra care around schools, slow down, remain alert and respect pedestrian crossings.”
Jemima Nalumansi (Road Safety Coordinator, KCCA): “Providing and maintaining visible pedestrian crossings, walkways and other road safety infrastructure is critical to protecting vulnerable road users. We welcome partnerships such as this with ITMS because improving road safety requires all of us to work together…”
Relief for Local School Infrastructure
Welcoming the development, Barbra Nalweyiso, administrator at Peekaboo Pre-school, expressed gratitude for targeting a location previously considered a risky zone for pupils.
”We welcome this initiative and now have the relief that our pupils are safe from motorists who don’t slow down or give way to pedestrians,” Nalweyiso stated. “Painting a pedestrian lane at Peekaboo Primary School is therefore more than a road-marking exercise. It is a visible reminder to the entire community that children deserve safer spaces to walk, learn and grow.”
With the morning and afternoon peak hours expected to see increased traffic as school resumes, the participating organizations continue to urge motorists to exercise heightened caution in all residential and school zones.
