The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS), in partnership with Prudential Uganda, has reached a major milestone after training more than 18,000 boda boda riders in road safety and first aid across several districts.
The ongoing campaign, now in its third phase, targets riders in the Kampala Metropolitan Area, Mukono, Entebbe, Mbale, Masaka and Arua.
The initiative equips riders with essential skills in responsible riding, emergency response and adherence to traffic regulations.
Speaking at the launch of Phase III, URCS Secretary General Robert Kwesiga underscored the need for a culture of safety among riders, who form a key part of Uganda’s transport system yet remain highly vulnerable on the roads.
“Our goal is to save lives and reduce the number of road crashes caused by reckless riding and lack of first aid knowledge,” Mr. Kwesiga said. “Through this partnership with Prudential Uganda, we are empowering riders to be both safer and more responsive in case of emergencies.”
The programme has grown steadily since its inception, training 4,000 riders in 2022–2023, 8,000 in 2023–2024 and 6,000 in the 2024–2025 phase.
Beyond road safety, participants are trained to offer basic first aid to accident victims before medical assistance arrives.
Prudential Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to supporting community-centred initiatives that enhance public safety, noting that boda boda riders are a vital component of Uganda’s economy and deserve skills that protect them and their passengers.
Local leaders and participants have commended the programme for improving rider behaviour and awareness of traffic rules, contributing to safer roads in the targeted districts.
URCS and Prudential Uganda plan to extend the initiative to more regions, with an overall goal of reaching major transport hubs countrywide and reducing road-related fatalities.