Human Error Fuels 95% of Uganda's Road Crashes, Traffic Police Highlight Peak Hour Dangers

Human error is overwhelmingly the primary cause of road accidents in Uganda, accounting for 95% of all incidents, according to SP Bruce K. Oinebye, Regional Traffic Officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police North.

Oinebye highlighted that the busiest period for accidents is typically between 6pm and 8pm, coinciding with the evening rush hour. He urged road users to exercise extreme caution during these times, as haste often leads to mistakes.

The rise in accidents is partly attributed to rapid motorisation, a phenomenon Uganda is experiencing as its economy grows. Oinebye noted that while this surge in vehicle ownership, with many imports from Japan, signifies economic progress, it also strains existing road infrastructure.

He cited Jinja Road as an example, where capacity has been vastly outstripped by daily traffic volume, contributing to the increased accident rate. The growing number of vehicles on Ugandan roads, many of which are imported from Japan, reflects economic development, but raises questions about whether driver training and adherence to road rules have kept pace.

Motorcyclists, or ‘boda bodas,’ are identified as the road user category experiencing the highest proportion of accidents. Speeding, driving under the influence, and disregarding traffic regulations are cited as key contributing factors for this group. Pedestrians are reported as the second most affected category.

SP Oinebye emphasized that enhancing road safety is a shared responsibility, extending beyond the traffic police. He called for collective accountability from all road users to mitigate the escalating number of crashes.