By Frank Kamuntu
An unspecified number of people are reported dead and others seriously hurt when a driver of a Toyota Hiace taxi lost control and rammed into buildings on Rubaga Road in Kampala this morning.
Uganda, like many African countries, continues to grapple with alarming road accident statistics. According to the 2023 Uganda Traffic Police report, an average of 12 to 13 people lose their lives in road accidents daily. In 2023 alone, there were 4,806 fatalities, an increase from 4,534 in 2022.
These figures reflect a wider road safety crisis across Africa. Poor infrastructure, overloading, and poorly maintained vehicles are common contributors to fatal accidents, particularly in rural areas. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa has the highest road traffic death rates globally, with 26.6 deaths per 100,000 people. The continent’s lack of strict enforcement of road safety regulations exacerbates the problem.
As Uganda and other African nations seek to address these issues, the recent accident in Rubaga underscores the urgent need for comprehensive road safety reforms and stricter regulations to protect vulnerable populations such as traders and farmers who rely on poorly maintained vehicles for their livelihoods.
