Kampala, Uganda — In a bid to advertise highway security on roads and cut back accidents and deaths because of bike accidents, Uganda Breweries Restricted (UBL) donated security gear to 200 boda boda operators.

The donation was a part of the deliberate engagements as UBL marked Security Consciousness Week to advertise the tradition of security amongst staff. The Boda Boda cyclists acquired helmets and reflector jackets to make sure security throughout their day-to-day work.

In line with the Uganda Police 2021 Annual Crime Report, the fatalities amongst motorcyclists and their passengers had been 1,918, reflecting 46% of all highway accident fatalities. The full variety of highway fatalities countrywide was 4,159, a 14% enhance from 3,663 instances in 2020.

In line with the United Nations Street Security Efficiency Evaluation, carried out by United Nations Financial Commissions for Europe (UNECE) and Africa (ECA), the general annual value of highway crashes is at present estimated at roughly UGX 4.4 trillion ($1.2 billion), representing 5% of Uganda’s gross home product (GDP).

Talking on the Street Security consciousness occasion, UBL Managing Director Andrew Kilonzo mentioned the highway security consciousness occasion is in keeping with the UBL ‘Society 2030’ sustainability technique that charts UBL’s path to contribute to sustainable growth.

“We contemplate well being and security as a elementary human proper. UBL usually finds methods to make an influence in society via sharing our greatest practices, consciousness creation, and security gear donations,” mentioned Kilonzo.

Kilonzo added: “I’m glad that contributors have additionally taken half in our ‘Incorrect Facet of The Street’ coaching that seeks to advocate in opposition to ingesting and driving by educating drivers on the potential dangers. This, we expect will drastically enhance security on our roads.”

The Kampala Capital Metropolis Authority (KCCA) Deputy Government Director Eng. David Luyimbazi mentioned that in Kampala, at the least one deadly crash happens on town’s highway community every day.

In a transfer to scale back the variety of highway crashes from Kampala, he mentioned KCCA with help from Authorities and Worldwide companions has in place a Street Security Technique for 2021-2030 to scale back the variety of highway crashes within the metropolis by 50% by the 12 months 2030.

“With lowered highway crashes, we will be capable of obtain the UN Sustainable Growth Objectives 3 and 11 that respectively search to halve the variety of world deaths and accidents from highway accidents by 2030 and supply entry to secure, reasonably priced, accessible, and sustainable transport methods for all, “mentioned Luyimbazi.

Kilonzo applauded KCCA for spearheading the event of insurance policies, legal guidelines, and laws, that promote highway security in Kampala. He requested Boda Boda cyclists to make sure correct that the donated security gear to correct use.

Eng David Luyimbazi – Deputy Government Director – of Kampala Capital Metropolis Authority additionally revealed that in December or January 2022, if they’ve reached the goal of about 15,000 Boda bodas with driving permits, “we will shut down town.”

KCCA is at present evaluating the Boda Boda riders who took half within the just-concluded census so as to be allowed to function within the capital metropolis.

Accordingly, these registered can be educated, given a safety code, and jackets and would function from gazetted phases.