Director of Traffic and Road Safety, AIGP Lawrence Niwabiine, has called for stronger collaboration among road safety stakeholders following a productive engagement with members of the Association of Surgeons of Uganda (ASOU), aimed at finding lasting solutions to the growing burden of road traffic injuries in the country.
The meeting, held on 4th June 2026, brought together traffic police leadership and medical professionals who shared concerns about the increasing number of road crash victims and the devastating impact such incidents continue to have on individuals, families, and the national economy. The surgeons commended the efforts of the Traffic Police in promoting road safety and enforcing traffic regulations across the country.
During the engagement, members of ASOU presented findings on the burden of road traffic injuries in Uganda, highlighting the significant human suffering and financial costs associated with treating crash victims. They noted that many road crashes are preventable and stressed the importance of coordinated interventions by government agencies, health professionals, civil society organizations, and road users themselves. The surgeons emphasized the need to promote discipline, responsibility, and compliance with traffic laws to reduce the number of accidents on Uganda’s roads.
In his remarks, AIGP Niwabiine thanked the Association for initiating the engagement and acknowledged the critical role medical professionals play in addressing the consequences of road crashes. He challenged stakeholders to reflect on whether road users truly lack road safety information, observing that in many cases the information already exists but is not effectively coordinated, packaged, or disseminated to the public.
The Director further explained that while the Traffic Police has implemented various road safety initiatives over the years, one of the major challenges has been limited access to scientific and evidence-based information on road traffic injuries and crashes. He welcomed the involvement of surgeons in the road safety agenda, describing their contribution as an important addition that can help shape more informed policies and interventions.
AIGP Niwabiine called upon all road safety partners to work together in preventing road crashes, emphasizing that road safety is a shared responsibility that requires collective commitment and action. He noted that no single institution can successfully address the challenge alone and that sustainable solutions can only be achieved through collaboration.
As part of strengthening this partnership, the Director pledged continued cooperation between the Traffic Police and ASOU through the establishment of information-sharing platforms, joint awareness campaigns, research initiatives, and community engagement programs. He expressed optimism that by combining expertise in enforcement, education, research, and public health, stakeholders can significantly reduce road traffic injuries and save lives.
The engagement marked an important step toward building stronger partnerships in the fight against road crashes, with both the Traffic Police and the Association of Surgeons of Uganda reaffirming their commitment to making Uganda’s roads safer for all road users. Through sustained collaboration, evidence-based interventions, and public awareness, the country can make meaningful progress in reducing the tragic toll of road traffic accidents.
