Nicole Foundation AdministratorHoima 6th March 2026. The 212-kilometre Joe Walker Road Safety Awareness Walk from Kampala to Hoima has concluded successfully, reinforcing national calls for safer roads and responsible road use across Uganda.
The walk was flagged off by Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport on Saturday 28th February 2026, who underscored the need for collective responsibility on the nation’s roads. “There is a song which says, ‘Munsi eno okozeemuki’ — meaning what have you done in this world? Joe Walker has done something very remarkable, sending the message across and alerting everybody that we must all use the roads safely,” he said at the launch.
He urged motorists, riders and pedestrians to respect road signs and exercise caution at dangerous corners, noting that “even saving one life matters” in the broader fight against road carnage.
The six-day trek, led by road safety campaigner Joseph Beyanga, brought together seven (7) dedicated walkers who endured heat, dust, heavy rains and long distances to amplify lifesaving messages. The journey ended at Karuziika Palace in Hoima, where the team was received by partners and sponsors, including Nicole Foundation (NF), Uganda National Oil Company, Uganda Red Cross Society, Safe Way Right Way, and Rotary Club of Hoima Kitara.
Two volunteers from the Nicole Foundation (NF), a road safety advocacy organisation, participated in the walk and completed the full 212km without major injuries. During the walk, the participants supported community engagements with boda boda riders and drivers, including the distribution of reflector jackets to improve visibility and reduce night-time crashes.
The walk traversed Kakiri, Busunju, Kiboga and Kyankwanzi districts, where participants held roadside sensitisation sessions focusing on speed management, helmet use, seatbelts, and distraction-free driving. A mobile support van provided hydration, glucose supplements and medical care, while safety officers ensured secure walking lanes along the highway.
The urgency of the campaign was underscored on Day Three when walkers encountered a fatal crash in Lwantama, Kiboga District, involving an over-speeding trailer that overturned and claimed a driver’s life — a tragic reminder of Uganda’s road safety crisis.
According to national statistics, Uganda loses an average of 14 people daily to road crashes, with motorcyclists accounting for nearly half of fatalities. The economic burden is estimated at more than 5% of GDP annually.
Speaking at the finish line in Hoima, a Nicole Foundation representative said: “This 212km walk is more than a physical journey; it is a statement that road safety is a shared responsibility. Every life lost on our roads is one too many. Through partnerships, community engagement, and sustained advocacy, we can change behaviours and save lives.”
The walk strengthened NF’s partnerships within the road safety ecosystem and advanced its mission of grassroots mobilisation, digital awareness, and policy engagement.
The post-walk activities included a visit to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital’s emergency ward, painting of a Zebra crossing in Hoima city and a visit to the newly constructed Hoima stadium.
The message remains clear: safer roads require collective action from government, civil society, and every road user. The Joe Walker Road Safety Awareness Walk stands as a powerful step toward that shared goal.
For more information:
+256 776902307 info@nicolefoundation.org