Uganda’s healthcare system is under severe strain, with an annual expenditure of over 7.5 trillion shillings to treat victims of road crashes and boat accidents, according to the Ministry of Health. This staggering financial burden has prompted a call for immediate government action to curb the escalating crisis.
Dr. Charles Olaro, the Director of Clinical and Curative Services at the Ministry of Health, emphasizes that traffic road accidents alone account for approximately 6% of Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), not factoring in the loss of lives. He highlights the overwhelming pressure on hospitals and the substantial financial drain on taxpayers caused by the treatment of accident victims.
Speaking during an awareness campaign launch named ‘Yambala for Me,’ Dr. Olaro challenges the government to confront the root causes of these accidents. The event, which took place at UMA showground in Kampala and was organized by the Dollar Initiative Uganda, the Works Ministry, and the Health Ministry, aimed to promote road safety measures.
Dr. Olaro advocates for a multi-sectoral approach to achieve universal health coverage in Uganda. He stresses the importance of wearing helmets when cycling, using condoms during sexual intercourse, and embracing masks to combat airborne diseases. He points out the alarming statistics, revealing that Uganda loses as many as 3,600 lives to road accidents annually, a number equivalent to the total deaths during the initial years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Annual Crime Report for 2022 documents a sharp increase in road accidents, with 20,394 cases reported compared to 17,443 the previous year. Out of these incidents, a devastating 22% resulted in fatalities, and a staggering 61% were attributed to reckless driving.
Hadijah Namutebi, the Police Chief Political Commissar, emphasizes the dire consequences of reckless driving. She highlights the urgent need for action to address this issue, as irresponsible behavior on the roads remains a significant contributor to accidents.
Recently, the Ministries of Health and Works, along with the Police and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), called for the reintroduction of breathalyzers to combat accidents fueled by alcohol-impaired drivers.
At the same event, Gen Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, expressed deep concern about the rising rate of water accidents, particularly among fishermen who often neglect life jackets. He points out that these accidents have a substantial impact on the country’s economy and calls on locals to be mindful of road safety measures during the holiday season. The situation demands immediate attention and comprehensive measures to curb the escalating crisis of road crashes and boat accidents in Uganda.
