Police have reported a slight improvement in road safety during the festive season, noting fewer crashes compared to last year, although several lives were still lost.
Speaking to the media, Police spokesperson Michael Kananura said the update covered the period from 22 to 28 December 2025. During this time, a number of road traffic crashes were recorded, resulting in deaths and injuries. However, he said the overall number of crashes was lower than during the same period in 2024, despite heavy holiday traffic.
Police data shows that vulnerable road users were the hardest hit. Motorcyclists — both riders and passengers — accounted for 44 per cent of all fatalities, while pedestrians made up 34 per cent. Most crashes involving motor vehicles were caused by driver mistakes, with careless overtaking responsible for 28 per cent, speeding for 18 per cent, and following too closely for 10 per cent.
One of the worst incidents happened in the early hours of Saturday, 27 December 2025, at about 4:30 a.m. at Njagalakasayi along the Masaka–Mbarara Highway in Lwengo District. A Fuso Fighter truck (UBP 510V) collided head-on with a Toyota Fielder (UBH 476W). Police say the driver of the Toyota, who was travelling from Masaka, crossed into the oncoming lane. All seven people in the car — a man, his wife, their four children and the man’s brother — died instantly.
During the same period, police stepped up enforcement and arrested 154 drivers for various traffic offences. These included 38 drivers without valid driving licences, 12 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 42 for reckless driving linked mainly to speeding and unsafe overtaking. Another 42 drivers were arrested for carrying excess passengers, 13 for dangerous loading, and seven abandoned vehicles were recorded.
Kananura said the reduction in crashes was due to joint efforts by the Police and partners such as the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda Professional Drivers’ Network (UPDN) and other stakeholders. These efforts focused on public awareness and strict enforcement of traffic laws.
Key measures included the “Arrive Alive” operations, use of route charts to stop unauthorised return journeys by buses, deployment of breath analysers at checkpoints to tackle drink-driving, and action against unroadworthy vehicles and illegal or modified lights.
As the New Year approaches, police have urged all road users to act responsibly by observing speed limits, avoiding drink-driving and reckless overtaking, keeping safe distances, reducing night travel where possible, and ensuring they are well-rested before driving.
Kananura said road safety operations will continue into the New Year, stressing that preventing crashes and saving lives is a shared responsibility.
