As the festive season approaches, Uganda’s roads are set to fill with travellers eager to return home, visit family, or attend year-end events.
While many motorists believe that quieter roads in the evening make for safer journeys, traffic and safety experts warn that the period between 5pm and 10pm is often the deadliest for road users.
Police reports and road-safety studies consistently show that a significant proportion of serious crashes occur during this five-hour window.
Part of the risk comes from the sheer increase in movement: people leaving work, traders closing markets, and buses and taxis rushing to complete multiple trips before nightfall.
Pedestrians are more visible on busy streets, yet many cross roads in fading light without reflective clothing or attention to oncoming traffic, increasing their vulnerability.
Another factor is the human body itself. By late afternoon, drivers are already experiencing fatigue from a full day of activity.
Research on circadian rhythms explains why alertness naturally declines after mid-afternoon, and while careful drivers may feel in control, reaction times slow, attention lapses increase, and the ability to judge distance and speed diminishes.
These physiological effects, combined with poor visibility as daylight wanes, create conditions that even the most careful driver can find challenging.
For some, the dangers are amplified by alcohol consumption at festive gatherings. Drivers heading home from parties after work or social events may underestimate the impact of even moderate alcohol intake on their ability to react quickly.
Boda-boda riders, who often work extended hours to maximise festive-season earnings, are particularly at risk. Fatigue, over-speeding, and crowded roads make them both victims and contributors to accidents.
Vehicle condition also plays a role. Many cars, buses, and motorcycles take to the roads without proper checks.
Faded headlights, worn tyres, faulty brakes, and missing indicators are more dangerous at dusk or night when visibility is already compromised.
Added to these are bad rear reflectors or dead tail lights that leave other motorists with little chance of avoiding a crash.
Traffic officers note that several evening crashes involve vehicles that could have been identified as unroadworthy had they undergone basic inspections or maintenance.
Experts urge motorists to plan their journeys carefully during the festive season. Starting trips before 3pm, taking rest breaks, and ensuring vehicles are properly maintained can dramatically reduce risk.
Drivers are advised to keep speeds moderate, use headlights appropriately, and avoid overtaking recklessly, while pedestrians should wear bright clothing and avoid crossing roads at dusk.
Families travelling together are encouraged to share driving responsibilities where possible and to ensure that everyone, especially children, is seated safely with seatbelts or helmets as required.
Emergency services also highlight that response times are often slower in the evening, meaning that even minor crashes can become fatal if medical help is delayed.
For hospitals and ambulance teams, festive evenings are some of the busiest periods, with high volumes of trauma cases from road accidents.
Survivors recount how a moment’s lapse in concentration, a sudden manoeuvre, or a vehicle travelling too fast in fading light can have life-altering consequences in seconds.
While many Ugandans look forward to festive travel as a time of reunion and joy, road-safety experts stress that caution must remain a priority.
The festive season should not be remembered for lives lost on the way to celebrations. Understanding the combined effects of time-of-day, fatigue, human behaviour, and vehicle condition is essential to staying safe.
By taking precautions, planning trips thoughtfully, and avoiding the deadly evening rush where possible, motorists can ensure that this festive season remains about togetherness and celebration rather than tragedy.