Apprehension and hope as Uganda’s tougher speed laws take effect

April 23, 2025 in Policy, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

A wave of uncertainty and cautious optimism has swept across Uganda as the Ministry of Works and Transport announced the start of enforcement the new Traffic and Road Safety (Speed Limit) Regulations, 2024, signalling the country’s most sweeping overhaul of speed laws in two decades.

Gazetted in February and signed into law by Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala, the new rules dramatically lower speed limits in urban and high-pedestrian zones, increase fines, and empower local governments to implement stricter traffic controls.

“These reforms are long overdue. They’re not just about enforcement—they’re about saving lives,” said an official from the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT). “Speeding and reckless overtaking account for nearly 45% of all road crashes in Uganda. We have to change that.”

Sharper Penalties, Slower Streets

Under the revised regulations, maximum fines for speeding have tripled—from UGX 200,000 to UGX 600,000. For instance, a motorist exceeding the 70kph limit on Kampala’s Northern Bypass by 30kph, or surpassing 60kph in a newly designated 30kph zone like Lugogo Bypass, now faces a penalty of 30 currency points instead of the previous 10.

The regulations also mark a significant reduction in urban speed limits—from 50kph to 30kph. These “urban centres” now include roads adjacent to schools, hospitals, churches, markets, and high-footfall business areas, in a major redefinition of what qualifies as a built-up zone.

“The previous laws didn’t account for specific zones with high pedestrian interaction,” said a MoWT official. “This left vulnerable road users—especially children and the elderly—at constant risk.”

Rural Roads and Vehicle Types Also Affected

The regulations don’t stop at cities. New caps have been introduced across the board:

• Passenger vehicles: 90kph on paved roads, 60kph on gravel, and 30kph on community roads
• Motorcycles, tricycles, quadricycles: 60kph on paved roads; 30kph elsewhere
• Public service vehicles: 80kph on paved highways, 60kph on gravel, and 30kph in urban centres

These limits now fall under the Traffic and Road Safety (Express Penalty Scheme for Road Traffic Offenders) Regulations, 2024, where exceeding the limit by 1–30kph incurs 10 currency points, and violations over 30kph incur 30 points.

Local Governments Now in the Driver’s Seat

One of the most praised changes is the empowerment of local authorities to propose custom speed limits for their jurisdictions.

“For the first time, local governments can formally request to modify speed limits on urban community access roads,” said Richard Okuku, Secretary General of the Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA). “This was not possible under the 2004 regulations.”

Maria Nkalubo, Uganda’s coordinator for the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), lauded the collaboration between the Ministry, civil society, and local organizations.

“This regulation was the product of collective advocacy by groups like the Uganda Professional Drivers Network (UPDN), Safe Transport and Survivors Support Uganda (STASSU), and the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA),” she said. “It’s a win for all road users.”

A Deadly Status Quo

The urgency is not without justification. Uganda’s road safety crisis continues to claim thousands of lives each year. According to the 2024 traffic police statistics, 5,144 people died in road crashes—an average of 14 deaths every day.

“We’ve long blamed infrastructure or narrow roads, but evidence shows the leading killers are human choices—speeding, drunk driving, and lack of protective gear,” said Ndugu Omongo, Executive Director of UPDN.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and several studies confirm that human error—not road width—is the main factor in fatal crashes.

Call to Action

Road safety advocates are calling on Ugandans to internalize the new limits as more than just law—but as a matter of life and death.

“At any time of day, every driver is also a pedestrian,” said Isaac Kataabu, Director at UPDN. “You don’t drive into shops or churches—so we must all understand what’s at stake. Slowing down saves lives.”

Looking Ahead

As Uganda adjusts to the new traffic reality, the Ministry and its partners are urging calm and compliance. Awareness campaigns, community sensitization, and digital signage will play a role in easing the transition.

“Please slow down,” MoWT officials posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Let’s save lives—together.”