The Uganda Insurers Association, in collaboration with VERMA and Niche, proudly joined the Run and Community Sensitization Road Safety Initiative running under the theme “Honor Victims and Promote Road Safety”. The initiative championed by the Ministry of Works & Transport is geared towards addressing the growing concerns around road safety in Uganda. It brings together stakeholders from across the Transport and Insurance sectors to advocate for safer roads and raise awareness about the critical role of insurance in mitigating road transport risks.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-President, the Minister of Works and Transport, General Edward Katumba Wamala, expressed gratitude to UIA for the unwavering support rendered to the transport sector. While acknowledging the efficiency of Boda Bodas in providing transport services, he voiced concerns over their safety, noting that motorcycles are involved in over 80% of transport accidents. The Minister announced new safety measures, including a requirement for Boda Boda riders to carry two helmets; one for themselves and one for the passenger effective January, 2025.
General Edward Katumba Wamala also highlighted the importance of personal safety practices, such as the use of disposable head covers and commended UIA for its initiatives that promote motorcycle insurance as a key component of road safety.
Our Board Chairperson, Ruth Namuli reinforced the Association’s commitment to addressing road traffic injuries through innovative and impactful interventions. Case in point is UIA’s recent donation of UGX 200 million to the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) to enhance URCS’ ambulance fleet and enable timely responses to road accident emergencies. Mrs. Namuli also highlighted UIA’s collaboration with the Uganda Police in training riders on the significance of Motor Third Party Insurance and proper licensing. She added that Public sensitization campaigns are an essential step in educating consumers about the value of having insurance. Mrs. Namuli announced a UIA donation of 1,000 reflector jackets and 200 helmets to support road safety efforts. She expressed profound gratitude to the Vice President and the Minister of Works and Transport for spearheading this initiative and urged the public to appreciate their leadership in promoting road safety awareness.
General Katumba revealed that over 4 million vehicles are currently on Ugandan roads which underscores the pressing need for motor insurance coverage. Our CEO, Jonan Kisakye, shed light on the alarming gap in Motor Third Party Insurance uptake. Drawing from the Motor Third Party Insurance Portal data, Jonan disclosed that between January and November 2024, only 289,837 private vehicles, 117,248 commercial vehicles, and 97,641 motorcycles had secured Motor Third Party Insurance policies. This figure is significantly low compared to the total number of vehicles on the road which highlights the urgent need for increased public awareness and compliance regarding mandatory Motor Third Party Insurance.
With sustained efforts and strategic collaborations, UIA remains steadfast in playing a major role in improving road safety in Uganda, in a bid to have a safer environment for all road users.
