The Uganda Red Cross Society has intensified its road safety campaign by training more than 18,000 boda boda riders across the country in first aid and safe riding practices.
Secretary General of the Uganda Red Cross Society, Robert Kwesiga, made the announcement during the grand finale of the Safe Steps Phase III campaign held at Nakawa Vocational Training Institute.
He urged the public to join nationwide efforts to reduce road crashes, which he said are largely caused by reckless behaviour on the roads.
“We call upon everyone to promote road safety and learn basic first aid skills to help reduce accidents and injuries,” Kwesiga said.
The campaign, supported by Prudential Uganda, has been rolled out across the Kampala Metropolitan Area, including the divisions of Central, Makindye, Rubaga, Nakawa and Kawempe, along with neighbouring communities in Wakiso District, Entebbe and Mukono.
The programme has also expanded to several upcountry districts such as Masaka, Mityana, Mbale and Mbarara.
According to campaign statistics, 4,000 riders were trained in 2022–2023, a further 8,000 in 2023–2024, and 6,000 in 2024–2025.
“As of mid-2025, with the launch of Phase III, the campaign continues to actively train riders in the Kampala Metropolitan Area, Mukono, Entebbe, Mbale, Masaka and Arua District,” Kwesiga added.
The Safe Steps initiative aims to reduce the high number of boda-related accidents and improve emergency response by equipping riders, who are among the country’s most frequent road users, with first aid knowledge and safer driving skills.
