Makerere & Johns Hopkins Universities Release Report on Speed and Helmet Use in Kampala
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) and the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) collaborated with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Vital Strategies to launch the Status Summary Report 2023 on Road Risk Factors for Kampala, Uganda. The report, presented at Hotel Africana in Kampala on January 16, 2024, uncovered critical findings regarding speeding and helmet use, shedding light on the challenges faced by road users in the city.
The report highlighted the average speed of vehicles in Kampala, revealing a concerning trend with an average speed of 57 km/h, notably exceeding recommended speed limits. The data indicated higher speeds on roads partially accessible to pedestrians compared to those freely accessible. Additionally, the report underscored the persistently low usage of helmets among motorcyclists and virtually non-existent usage among passengers, contributing to an increase in accidents and fatalities since 2020.
Examining the reported numbers of deaths and serious injuries from 2018 to 2022, the report revealed a variable trend. In 2022, there was a 1% increase in reported deaths compared to 2021, while serious injuries witnessed a 4% decrease during the same period. Motorcyclists accounted for nearly half (49%) of reported deaths, followed by pedestrians at 44%. To enhance road safety, the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) conducted roadside observations on speed and helmet use in Kampala City.
| Year | Road Traffic Deaths | Serious Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 294 | – |
| 2019 | 315 | – |
| 2020 | 236 | – |
| 2021 | 419 | – |
| 2022 | 425 | – |
Presenting the findings, Mr. Bonny Balugaba, a researcher at MakSPH, emphasised that the observed speed of 57 km/h in Kampala far exceeds recommended limits, significantly reducing the chances of survival in case of accidents. The report recommends enforcing a 50 km/h speed limit in metropolitan areas and a 30 km/h limit in areas where motorized traffic interacts with pedestrians and cyclists.
The study also delved into helmet use compliance, revealing a notable discrepancy. Among motorcyclists, helmet use stood at 39%, dropping even lower to 2% for passengers. Ride-share motorcycle drivers, especially Safe Boda, demonstrated the highest compliance at 84%. The report highlighted a need for targeted enforcement and public awareness campaigns to address the issue.
| Category | Helmet Use |
|---|---|
| Motorcyclists | 39% |
| Passengers | 2% |
| Ride-share Motorcycle Drivers | 84% |
Dr. Raphael Awuah, the African Regional Advisor on Data and Surveillance for Vital Strategies, emphasised the need to prioritise vulnerable road users, particularly motorcyclists and pedestrians, based on the observed trend of majority deaths in these categories since 2018. The top five locations for pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries were identified, urging targeted interventions.
| Pedestrian Fatalities & Serious Injuries Locations (2019-2022) |
|---|
| 1. Kampala Road |
| 2. Jinja Road |
| 3. Bombo Road |
| 4. Entebbe Road |
| 5. Masaka Road |
The report recommended increased enforcement of proper helmet use, especially for passengers, taxis, and commercial motorbikes, and public awareness programs on helmet usage. Stakeholders urged visible and widespread enforcement measures to complement mass media campaigns.
| Recommendations for Enforcement |
|---|
| 1. Increased enforcement on local roads and specific vehicle types |
| 2. Regular monitoring and evaluation of public awareness campaigns |
| 3. Fines and sanctions for improper helmet wear |
SP. Michael Kananura, spokesperson for the Traffic and Road Safety Directorate, Uganda Police Force, acknowledged the importance of data in improving enforcement. He pledged to utilise the insights from the report to enhance traffic enforcement and safety measures in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Hon. Kizza Hakim Sawula, a councilor from Lubaga and a Minister for Works and Physical Planning at KCCA, raised concerns about the impact of poor-quality roads on road safety. He called on Parliament to allocate sufficient budgetary resources to address road maintenance and construction challenges in Kampala.
Becky Bavinger, from the public health area of Bloomberg Philanthropies, highlighted the severity of road traffic injuries as the leading cause of death for people aged 5 to 29 in Uganda. She urged stakeholders to utilise the data for informed decision-making and announced Bloomberg Philanthropies’ commitment to working with KCCA and the government to institutionalise accurate data collection on road traffic injuries.
