The Ministry of Works and Transport has approved a Safe School Zone Guide, a new initiative designed to curb the alarming number of road traffic deaths among school-going children. Uganda loses an estimated four children every day in road crashes.
Dr. Emmerentian Mbabazi, the lead consultant behind the guide, says most of these tragedies occur in and around school precincts, often caused by speeding drivers, reckless motorcyclists, and the lack of adequate child safety measures.
“Many schools are located dangerously close to busy roads. Children are knocked down while entering or leaving school—sometimes just meters from their classrooms,” says Dr. Mbabazi, a city programs specialist at the World Resources Institute.
Between 2020 and 2024, traffic reports show that Uganda lost over 4,000 people in crashes, averaging around 800 children each year. Activists caution that the true toll is likely higher due to underreporting.
The Safe School Zone Guide introduces strict rules for school construction and traffic management. New schools cannot be built near major roads without assessment, and entrances may not face main roads. The guide also follows a safe-systems approach, recognising that while human error is inevitable, no child should die because of it.
Key measures include a 30 km/hr speed limit within school zones, protected walkways for learners, and visible signage within a 1-kilometre radius to warn approaching drivers. Drivers will also be guided to gradually reduce speed from 80 km/hr to 50 km/hr, and finally to 30 km/hr near schools.
Sam Bambanza, Executive Director of Safe Transport and Survivors Support Uganda (STASSU), highlights that most schools currently lack basic safety infrastructure such as signage, waiting islands, and protected walkways. Parked vehicles near school gates also obstruct visibility, putting children at risk.
The new guide addresses these issues by banning vehicle parks and stages near schools, providing safe walking and cycling routes, and promoting healthier travel habits. Similar initiatives in Tanzania and South Africa have already reduced child fatalities.
“Current school signage focuses on the property, not the children,” Bambanza notes. “We need clear, visible signs on both sides of the road to alert drivers to slow down and watch out for learners.”
Winston Katushabe, Commissioner for Transport Safety and Regulation at the Ministry, agrees that while the guide is vital, its success will depend on driver behaviour. “Children are often knocked down because buildings lack basement parking, forcing vehicles onto the street. Many drivers also ignore zebra crossings,” he explains.
Implementation will be key. Safe school zone champions will be appointed at district and regional levels to monitor compliance.
“Our goal is not just to have rules on paper,” Bambanza says. “We want safer journeys for children, peace of mind for parents, and a culture of road safety that protects every learner.”
