An urgent road safety sensitisation campaign has been rolled out in Mbarara City as authorities move to address the rising number of road traffic deaths involving school-going children across Uganda.
The initiative is being implemented by the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) in partnership with the Uganda Police Force, targeting high-risk school environments in densely populated urban centres.
This week, the campaign reached several institutions in Mbarara City, including Uganda Martyrs Primary School, Mbarara Municipal School, and Ebenezer Primary School, where learners received road safety education and protective gear.
According to Uganda Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura, recent findings from the 2025 traffic report reveal a disturbing trend of children being knocked down during peak commuting hours.
“Findings indicate a worrying trend, with many children being knocked down during morning and evening peak hours as they travel to and from school,” Kananura said.
“We attribute most of these incidents to speeding and careless overtaking by motorists who disregard the safety of pedestrians.”
He further noted that the campaign aims not only to reduce immediate fatalities but also to instil long-term behavioural change among young road users and the wider public.
“This is part of ongoing efforts to equip learners with road safety knowledge and to build a generation of responsible road users who can also influence positive behaviour in their homes and communities,” he added.
The programme, branded the “Save Kids, Save Future” campaign, combines classroom-style sensitisation with enforcement technology under the Ministry of Works and Transport’s digital monitoring framework.
Intelligent Transport Monitoring System Public Relations Consultant Steven Turyarugayo said the initiative complements digital enforcement tools, including digital number plates and the Express Penalty System (EPS), aimed at improving driver accountability.
“The ongoing campaign targets at least 3,000 school-going children across the country. Having already covered Mbale and Fort Portal, our goal in Mbarara is to ensure that children understand the digital and physical tools being used to keep them safe,” Turyarugayo said.
Educators in Mbarara have welcomed the intervention, describing it as a timely addition to existing school safety programmes.
Denis Nimusiima, Deputy Headteacher of Mbarara Municipal School, said the initiative would help learners better understand road safety practices and extend the message beyond school.
“This initiative will help pupils understand how to interact responsibly with motorists and how to share road safety messages within their families,” Nimusiima said.
As part of the rollout, pupils received reflector jackets and helmets designed to improve visibility during early morning and evening commutes, when most accidents are reported.
Authorities say the campaign will continue to other regions, with a strong emphasis on enforcement, education, and behavioural change as Uganda grapples with persistently high road traffic fatalities.
The message from the campaign remains consistent: safeguarding Uganda’s future begins with making its roads safer for children today.