At least 15 people killed daily in Uganda road crashes – Police report
By Skika Reporter
At least 15 people were killed every day on Ugandan roads in 2025, according to new figures released by the Traffic Police Directorate, highlighting a worsening road safety crisis across the country.
The latest police report shows that road traffic deaths rose to 5,383 in 2025, up from 5,144 fatalities recorded in 2024—an increase that translates to an average of 15 deaths per day.
Presenting the findings, Assistant Inspector General of Police Lawrence Niwabiine said the data reflects a steady upward trend in road fatalities despite ongoing enforcement operations and safety campaigns.
“This increase shows that more effort is needed from all road users to observe traffic rules and regulations,” Niwabiine noted.
Peak hours and high-risk periods
According to the report, while most crashes occurred during daytime hours, fatalities were highest between 6pm and 8pm, when 3,484 deaths were recorded. The least deadly period was between 2pm and 3pm.
December registered the highest number of crashes at 2,443, while June recorded the lowest at 1,978. Fatalities followed a similar pattern, peaking in October at 523 deaths and dropping to 390 in June.
Police attribute the spike in crashes to increased travel demand, commercial activity, and long-distance journeys, especially during festive seasons.
Rising trend over the years
The figures indicate a consistent rise in road deaths over the past four years:
- 4,534 deaths in 2022
- 4,806 in 2023
- 5,144 in 2024
- 5,383 in 2025
Pedestrians and boda boda riders most affected
Pedestrians remain the most vulnerable road users, accounting for a significant proportion of fatalities. Police data shows:
- 43% were killed while crossing roads
- 32% while walking along roads
- 9% while standing by roadsides
Boda boda riders and their passengers also continue to face high risks, largely due to failure to wear protective helmets.
A road safety expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity, cited non-compliance with helmet standards as a major contributor to fatalities.
“Many boda boda riders and their passengers are dying because they do not wear crash helmets,” the expert said.
Weekend spikes in crashes
The report shows that road crashes are more frequent over weekends, with Friday recording 3,921 incidents, Saturday 3,913, and Sunday 3,870. Thursdays had the lowest number of crashes at 3,462.
Fatalities also peaked during weekends, with 810 deaths recorded on Sundays and 729 on Saturdays—figures linked to increased travel and business activity.
Common causes of crashes
Pedestrian collisions were the most common type of accidents, accounting for 20 percent of all incidents. Other frequent crash types included side-swipe, rear-end, and head-on collisions, often attributed to driver error and unsafe overtaking.
Crime rates decline overall
The report was launched at Police Headquarters in Naguru by Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba. It also revealed a drop in overall crime, with reported cases decreasing from 218,715 in 2024 to 196,405 in 2025.
Despite the decline in general crime, authorities warn that road safety remains a major concern requiring urgent attention from government agencies, motorists, and the public.
