A disability advocacy group is pressing Uganda's government to take immediate action on road safety after a fatal crash in Kiryandongo District killed at least 40 people. The Amputee Self-Help Network Uganda, which assists people who have lost limbs or suffered permanent injuries from traffic collisions, said the nation needs to rethink its approach to preventing deaths and supporting survivors. Charlotte Kangume, who co-founded the organization and survived a crash herself, said 14 Ugandans die daily on the roads, which amounts to losing a full taxi of passengers every day.
Annual road fatalities have jumped from 4,159 in 2022 to 5,144 in 2024, representing an 80.2 percent rise since 2014. Motorcycle taxi accidents alone generate over 1.2 million incidents each year, placing the country among the six worst globally for per capita road deaths. Kangume said the Kiryandongo accident revealed serious problems with emergency response systems and called for dedicated rescue stations along major highways where many victims die before receiving medical care.
The network wants authorities to bring back the Express Penalty System that was recently suspended, arguing automated enforcement had reduced reckless driving. Members also urged subsidies for prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services, noting survivors face ongoing pain, high costs, and unemployment long after accidents occur.
Annual road fatalities have jumped from 4,159 in 2022 to 5,144 in 2024, representing an 80.2 percent rise since 2014. Motorcycle taxi accidents alone generate over 1.2 million incidents each year, placing the country among the six worst globally for per capita road deaths. Kangume said the Kiryandongo accident revealed serious problems with emergency response systems and called for dedicated rescue stations along major highways where many victims die before receiving medical care.
The network wants authorities to bring back the Express Penalty System that was recently suspended, arguing automated enforcement had reduced reckless driving. Members also urged subsidies for prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation services, noting survivors face ongoing pain, high costs, and unemployment long after accidents occur.
