Uganda Police have reported a comparatively lower number of road traffic crashes during the 2025 festive season despite increased travel volumes, according to a traffic safety update covering the period December 22 to 28, 2025.
In a statement released on Monday, the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety noted that while lives were lost and several people injured, overall crash figures declined compared to the same period in 2024.
However, the police expressed concern that vulnerable road users accounted for the majority of fatalities. Motorcyclists, including riders and passengers, made up 44 percent of those killed, while pedestrians accounted for 34 percent.
Crashes involving motor vehicles were mainly attributed to careless overtaking (28 percent), speeding (18 percent) and following too closely (10 percent).
Family of Seven Killed in Lwengo Crash
One of the deadliest incidents occurred in the early hours of Saturday, December 27, at around 4:30 a.m. at Njagalakasayi along the Masaka–Mbarara Highway in Lwengo District.
The crash involved a Fuso Fighter truck (Reg. No. UBP 510V) and a Toyota Fielder (Reg. No. UBH 476W). Police said the Toyota Fielder, which was travelling from the Masaka side, veered into the lane of oncoming traffic and collided head-on with the truck.
All seven occupants of the Toyota Fielder — a man, his wife, their four children and the man’s brother — died on the spot.
Traffic Enforcement Results
During the same period, police apprehended 154 drivers for various traffic offences, including 38 for driving without valid licences, 12 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 42 for reckless driving, mainly unsafe overtaking and speeding, 42 for carrying excess passengers, 13 cases of dangerous loading and 7 abandoned vehicles.
Police attributed the improved safety outcomes to joint efforts with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda Professional Drivers’ Network (UPDN) and the media.
Ongoing Safety Measures
Key interventions included the enforcement of “Arrive Alive” operations, use of route charts to prevent unauthorised return journeys by bus operators, deployment of breath analysers at checkpoints to curb drink-driving, and strict action against unroadworthy vehicles and those fitted with illegal or modified lights.
Road safety awareness campaigns were also conducted nationwide in partnership with stakeholders.
Call for Caution Into the New Year
As Ugandans head into the New Year, police urged all road users to prioritise safety by observing speed limits, avoiding drink-driving and reckless overtaking, maintaining safe following distances, limiting night travel where possible, and staying alert to prevent fatigue-related crashes.
Police said enforcement operations will continue throughout 2026. “We wish all Ugandans a crash-free and peaceful 2026,” said SP Kananura Michael, spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety.
