Nicole Foundation Administrator, Author at Secure in the car

July 23, 2026August 7, 2026

UNICEF urges Uganda to strengthen child road safety

Kampala, Uganda | URN | UNICEF has asked Uganda to strengthen child road safety, saying protecting children requires action to reduce speeding, improve pedestrian infrastructure and strengthen emergency response.

UNICEF Representative to Uganda, Dr. Robin Nandy, in a statement, said the agency was deeply saddened by the recent road accidents that have claimed the lives of school-going children, leaving families, schools and communities in mourning.

“On behalf of UNICEF, I extend heartfelt condolences to the families, classmates and communities affected. No parent should send a child to school and never see them return home,” Nandy said.

Uganda commercial transporters commit to discipline rogue drivers

Kampala - Commercial transport operators have pledged to enforce regulations within the sector by identifying and disciplining rogue drivers in efforts to curb motor vehicle crashes.

THe campaign aims at restoring public confidence in passenger transport.

The commitment follows a fatal school bus crash in Kapchorwa District on Friday night in which 21 people, including 15 chidren, died, prompting renewed calls for stricter road safety measures and the goverment's suspension of all school trips and educational excursions.

UPDATE ON THE FATAL ROAD CRASH INVOLVING PUPILS OF KING DAVID JUNIOR SCHOOL

The death toll from the tragic road crash involving pupils of King David Junior School, which occurred at Kaserem along the Kapchorwa–Mbale Road, has risen to 24 after three more pupils succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash while receiving medical treatment.

As of this evening:

– 24 fatalities have been confirmed.

– 18 bodies have been positively identified.

– 3 unidentified bodies are at Kapchorwa Hospital.

– 3 bodies are at Mbale Hospital.

Read more on the Uganda Police Force website.

July 18, 2026August 7, 2026

Uganda suspends school trips after 20 pupils die in bus crash

Uganda's government has suspended all school trips in the wake of Thursday evening's bus crash that killed at least 20 pupils and one adult who were taking part in an educational tour.

Dozens of others, including staff, were injured in the accident in Kapchorwa district, eastern Uganda.

Preliminary investigations suggest the bus had a mechanical fault before the driver lost control on Chekwatit Hill, a stretch of road that has been the site of several serious crashes, according to local officials.

Uganda school bus crash kills 20 children and 1 adult

‌Twenty schoolchildren have been killed after the bus carrying them ⁠crashed ⁠on the way back from an educational field trip in eastern Uganda, authorities said.

Uganda suspended school outings on Friday after the crash, which also killed one adult on Thursday night.

Three other adults and more than a dozen children were also injured, officials said.

WEEKLY ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY UPDATE

In the past one week, several road traffic crashes were registered across the country, some of which were fatal and resulted in loss of life and serious injuries.

Risky road user behaviour, particularly speeding, reckless overtaking, and non-compliance with traffic regulations, continues to be the leading cause of crashes recorded on our roads.

Motorcycles (bodabodas) remained the most affected category, accounting for 50% of all fatalities, followed by pedestrians at 32%, while other categories accounted for 18%.

Read more on the Uganda Police Force website.

June 15, 2026June 29, 2026

Govt Proposes Tough Road Safety Reforms, Targets Vehicle Owners and Repeat Traffic Offenders

KAMPALA — The government is considering sweeping road safety reforms that could fundamentally change how traffic offences are enforced in Uganda, with vehicle owners, public transport operators and repeat traffic offenders all facing tougher scrutiny.

Among the proposals under review are measures to hold vehicle owners accountable for traffic violations committed using their vehicles, introduce biometric monitoring systems for public service drivers, establish a demerit points system for repeat offenders and crack down on motorists using excessively loud vehicle horns.

The proposals emerged from a national consultative workshop on the Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) and speed management and will now be analysed before being presented to Cabinet.

Speaking at the close of the workshop, Winstone Katushabe, the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety and Chief Licensing Officer of Motor Vehicles at the Ministry of Works and Transport, said the recommendations reflected views gathered from stakeholders and members of the public.

Govt shelves rollout of new speed limit rules

The enforcement of the automated Express Penalty Scheme (EPS Auto) and new speed limit regulations has hit a roadblock nearly a year after the government suspended its rollout, following threats by motorists to strike in protest. The Ministry of Works and Transport spokesperson, Ms Susan Kataike, said a review of the contentious issues raised by motorists found that 90 percent of the concerns were valid. “The Ministry of Works and Transport is going to carry out countrywide consultations beginning mid-March 2026. Over 90 percent of the issues raised by the public were genuine concerns, and they have been rectified,” Ms Kataike said. “What needs to be taken back to Cabinet and Parliament for discussion will be taken back to ensure concurrence with the public recommendations. We await your contributions.

Championing Safety on the Road

Uganda continues to face an urgent road safety challenge, with thousands of families affected each year. The Nicole Foundation together with its partners remain a voice for change, championing safer roads, informed communities, and evidence‑driven advocacy.

Over the last half of 2025, the Foundation expanded its footprint through national campaigns, community outreach, and influential partnerships that strengthened the country’s collective response to road crashes.

From mobilising citizens during the Joe Walker Relay Walk to contributing meaningfully within the Road Safety Advocacy Coalition Uganda (ROSACU), the Foundation has placed community voices at the centre of national dialogue.

Digital advancements and strengthened compliance systems have further enhanced public trust and accessibility. As the festive‑season TV campaign reached millions with lifesaving messages, one truth became undeniable: road safety begins with individual responsibility.

The Nicole Foundation’s work reminds us that every safer choice, every informed action, brings Uganda closer to roads where everyone can travel with confidence and hope.

Follow this link to read the January 2026 edition of the Newsletter

March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

Cheap Oil is More Expensive Than You Think

Uganda’s boda-boda sector operates under relentless pressure, tight margins, long working hours, unforgiving roads that push the riders and machines to their limits.

Conversations about boda safety often focus on rider behavior - speeding, helmet use, licensing, or traffic discipline - leaving out one equally critical factor with less attention: mechanical integrity. Machines, much like people, fail when pushed beyond their limits.

Consider Musa, a typical rider whose engine failed unexpectedly on the bypass. By the time his engine gave up, the warning sign had already been present. He wasn’t over speeding. He wasn’t drunk. Yet for a week his bike had been “coughing,” a signal he dismissed because an oil change felt like an avoidable expense. For many riders, routine maintenance is often viewed as an added cost rather than an investment.