Police have emphasised the importance of instilling safe road-use habits among children at an early age as Uganda intensifies efforts to reduce road crashes involving young pedestrians.
Speaking during the conclusion of the “Safe Kids, Safe Future” road safety sensitisation campaign organised at Kibuye Primary School in Kampala by the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), traffic police spokesperson, Michael Kananura hailed their partnership with ITMS which he said is already yielding positive results, with more than 4,000 pupils reached through school-based road safety training.
“Our collaboration with ITMS is beginning to yield positive results. Through this initiative, we have reached more than 4,000 pupils, who have gained knowledge on how to use roads safely, including how to cross and where to walk,” he said.
He noted that the partnership has strengthened police outreach programmes, enabling wider coverage of schools across the country.
“We acknowledge that as police alone, we cannot reach the entire country. However, with ITMS on board, we have been able to extend our reach and plan to engage even more schools going forward,” Kananura added.
He stressed that most road crashes are linked to human behaviour, making early education a key intervention in reducing accidents.
“We believe that shaping responsible behaviour from childhood can make a significant difference in reducing accidents in the future,” he said.
The remarks were made at the conclusion of the “Safe Kids, Safe Future” road safety campaign, which ended with a final activation at Kibuye Primary School in Kampala.
The initiative has reached pupils in Mbale, Fort Portal, Mbarara, and Kampala over the past three months.
KCCA spokesperson Daniel Nuwabine said the programme is crucial in protecting children who face daily risks on Uganda’s roads.
“This initiative is timely and necessary. Our children face daily risks on the roads, and equipping them with knowledge is one of the strongest protections we can offer,” he said.
The campaign focused on practical road safety education, including pedestrian discipline, use of zebra crossings, understanding traffic signs, and the dangers of speeding and reckless driving.
Pupils participated in interactive sessions, demonstrations, and discussions led by traffic police and ITMS officials.
ITMS public relations consultant, Steven Turyarugayo said the goal is to build lifelong awareness among children.
“Road safety begins with awareness. When children understand how to use the road safely, they not only protect themselves but also influence their communities,” he said.
Organisers said the campaign reached more than 4,000 pupils across 12 schools, with learners also receiving helmets and reflective jackets to improve visibility and safety.
Authorities urged parents, guardians, and school administrators to reinforce road safety awareness, noting that children remain highly vulnerable due to their age and behaviour around traffic.
While some schools demonstrated strong awareness, others still lacked basic knowledge of road safety, highlighting the need for continued sensitisation.
Officials also encouraged schools to integrate road safety messages into daily school activities and assemblies, even before it is formally included in the curriculum.
In some schools, road safety clubs were established and key messages such as “Speed kills,” “Avoid careless overtaking,” and “Crash helmets save lives” were displayed to reinforce safe behaviour.
The campaign organisers say these efforts are aimed at embedding a strong road safety culture among children and ensuring long-term behavioural change on Uganda’s roads.