Mobility Snapshot at the intersection of Kampala Road-Burton-Johnson street and The Square 1, Kampala, Uganda.
Uganda Road Accident Reduction Network Organisation’s (URRENO) Mobility Snapshots have contributed to influencing design, policy and implementation across the city of Kampala, Uganda. The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has committed to prioritizing road safety infrastructure improvements, particularly in high-pedestrian areas such as schools, hospitals, and markets. It aims to repaint pedestrian crossings, install speed bumps, and enhance infrastructure around the 105 KCCA-owned schools and 19 health facilities. KCCA has also committed to integrating road safety infrastructure, such as pedestrian crossings and signalization, in ongoing and future road reconstruction projects and establishing a traffic control command center to enhance traffic law enforcement.
“This is in line with the Uganda National Roads Authority’s adoption of updated road design manuals that now integrate essential road safety features like pedestrian walkways, crossings, and road signs. These standards will be applied to all new road projects and major rehabilitations to ensure that pedestrian safety is prioritized,” says Fred Tumwine, URRENO.
As part of the 2024 Alliance Incubator cohort, URRENO integrated its Mobility Snapshots into its Incubator-supported advocacy efforts with the government to promote safer school zones. URRENO’s advocacy with the Ministry of Works and Transport has contributed to commitments to reduce speed limits to 30 km/h and the initiation of monthly inspection visits to high-pedestrian zones in Kampala by the Commissioner of Transport Regulation and Safety. “These inspections aim to observe road use behavior and identify appropriate interventions for pedestrian safety. The Commissioner has committed to fast-tracking the implementation of new speed limit regulations, reducing the limit to 30 km/h in high-risk areas,” says Fred.
URRENO used the findings of its Mobility Snapshot to engage with various stakeholders and advocate for the implementation of evidence-based actions to ensure safer mobility at the intersection. Its advocacy is already yielding results and commitments from government authorities.
Additionally, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has acknowledged the value of data-driven advocacy like the Mobility Snapshots in identifying risky intersections and has requested further data collection from URRENO and other CSOs to enable timely interventions.
These efforts showcase how data-driven advocacy through the Mobility Snapshots has led to significant commitments and actions by multiple stakeholders. By providing clear evidence on issues pedestrians face, such as unsafe speeds and inadequate pedestrian facilities, these snapshots give NGOs the leverage needed to engage decision-makers and push for change. The resulting commitments and evidence-based interventions are crucial for meeting the Global Plan targets of halving road deaths and injuries by 2030.
URRENO’s Mobility Snapshot advocacy was supported through a small grant from TotalEnergies Foundation.
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