The Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), in partnership with the Uganda Police Force, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the Ministry of Works and Transport, will undertake a road safety activity at Peekaboo Primary School in Naguru, including the painting of a pedestrian lane, as part of efforts to create safer road environments for school-going children.
The activity is being held ahead of the reopening of the third and final school term of the 2026 academic year under the campaign theme: “Safer Kids, Safer Roads, Safer Journeys.”
The initiative seeks to raise awareness among children, parents, teachers, motorists and the wider community about the importance of protecting vulnerable road users, particularly children who walk to and from school.
The pedestrian lane marking is intended to give children a more visible, clearly defined crossing point while encouraging motorists to slow down and give priority to pedestrians around school zones. The intervention comes at a time when Uganda continues to face a serious road safety challenge.
According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025, the country recorded 5,383 road traffic deaths in 2025, up from 5,144 deaths in 2024, a 4.7% increase. Serious injuries also increased from 17,013 in 2024 to 18,444 in 2025.
In Kampala, the challenge is particularly significant. The recently released KCCA road safety report of 2025 shows that approximately 407 people died due to road fatalities in the city.
Furthermore, Police road safety statistics also indicate that 2 school-going children die every day due to road accidents. Findings have also continued to identify risky road-user behaviour, including speeding, reckless overtaking and non-compliance with traffic regulations, among the leading causes of crashes.
Against this background, the partners say protecting children cannot be left to enforcement alone. It requires safer infrastructure, responsible road-user behaviour, public education and coordinated action by government, communities and other stakeholders.
According to ITMS, there is a proposed law on the Express Penalty System that calls for a 30km/hr speed limit around school zones, which is soon in the offing pending government approval. Therefore, by supporting road safety initiatives around schools, an environment where children can get to school and return home more safely is being created.
“We are proud to work alongside government and community partners because safer roads require collective responsibility, and road signage and marking complemented by EPS technology must translate into practical interventions that make everyday journeys safer.” Steven Turayarugayo (ITMS), Public Relations Manager, said.
The Uganda Police Force, through the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, emphasised the responsibility of motorists to exercise greater caution around schools.
Michael Kananura stated that “Children are among the most vulnerable road users because they may not always be able to accurately judge the speed or distance of an approaching vehicle. Our statistics show that 2 school-going children between the ages of 6- 15 years die every day in road accidents.”
He further reiterated that “motorists must therefore take extra care around schools, slow down, remain alert and respect pedestrian crossings. Road safety is not only the responsibility of the Police; every road user has a role to play in preventing crashes and saving lives.” He noted.
Jemima Nalumansi, Kampala Capital City Authority road safety coordinator, said KCCA has identified pedestrian infrastructure, including walkways and marked pedestrian crossings, as part of its efforts to address road safety challenges in Kampala.
“Providing and maintaining visible pedestrian crossings, walkways and other road safety infrastructure is critical to protecting vulnerable road users. We welcome partnerships such as this with ITMS because improving road safety requires all of us to work together, government institutions, communities, schools, parents, motorists and development partners,” she noted.
The partners are using the campaign to remind motorists that the reopening of schools means increased movement of children and other vulnerable road users on neighbourhood roads, particularly during morning and afternoon peak hours.
Barbra Nalweyiso, the administrator at “PeeK Aboo” Pre-school, thanked ITMS for identifying their school as one of those in a dark spot.
“We welcome this initiative and now have the relief that our pupils are safe from motorists who don’t slow down or give way to pedestrians.” She noted
“Painting a pedestrian lane at Peekaboo Primary School is therefore more than a road-marking exercise. It is a visible reminder to the entire community that children deserve safer spaces to walk, learn and grow.” Nalweyiso said.
