Kampala, 6th May 2013 -- Uganda has developed a Comprehensive Road Safety Road Map as one of the ways to achieve a 50% reduction in road traffic accident death by 2020 recommended by the UN Resolution on Decade of Action for Road Safety.

According to the Minister of State for Works and Transport Hon Stephen Chebrot, the Road map, implemented under his ministry will guide actions, investment and plans for reducing road traffic accidents.

The minister who was addressing a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre also reported that his ministry was strengthening Road Safety Institutional capacity under which a National Road Safety Au-thority (NRSA) will be established to coordinate, collaborate, monitor and raise funding for all road safety activities.

Regarding Traffic Laws and Regulations the minister noted that his ministry was reviewing the 1998 Traffic and Road Safety Act to make it more effective. This will involve making regulation for driving tests and make special provisions for Public Service Vehicles and heavy goods vehicles especially on the use of reflectors.

Additionally, the ministry intends to improve driver competencies under a national curriculum for learner drivers and driver training instructors. Similarly, the ministry has developed a motor cycle and tricycle policy to allow for their better management and control.

Speaking on the same function, the WHO Country Representative Dr Wondimagenehu Alemu pledged to support the government to operationalise the Road Safety Action plan. “As we celebrate the second United Nations Global Safety week, we shall support the gov-ernment and other key players to play their roles and achieve the objectives and goals of the plan,” he said.

Dr Alemu added that WHO will work with other departments but especially with the Ministry of Health to ensure that the plan is fully implemented and monitored. Consequently, WHO will support con-tinuous capacity building for data collection as wells as be part of the commemorations and other actions intended to bring positive re-sults. He appealed to the media to be part of these process and ac-tivities.

The Commissioner of Police in Charge of Road Traffic Mr Lawrence Niwabwine said the police was ready to enforce all laws and regula-tions that will be put in place by government to curb road traffic acci-dents. He thanked WHO for the support and researched information that is always availed to the police as they perform their duties.

The 2nd UN Global Safety Week is commemorated under the theme: “Pedestrian Safety” aimed at protecting pedestrians, generate action and contribute to achieving the goal of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 to 2020. Activities planned for the week include media briefings, painting Zebra Crossings, organising pedestrian safety booths with information, matching processions, essay competitions for schools, training school traffic wardens and a major events to be hosted in Jinja town.

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For more information contact :

Benjamin Sensasi, Health Promotion Advisor, WHO Country Office
Tel+256-414-334400
Email: sensasib [at] ug.afro.who.int