At the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, held for the first time on the African continent, the theme "Commit to Life" resonated with the shared global commitment to making roads safer for everyone.

The conference, held between 18 and 20^th February 2025 in Marrakech, Morocco, brought together leaders, experts, and key stakeholders to discuss actionable strategies, strengthen global cooperation, and promote road safety across the world. The event focused on critical areas such as road safety governance, emerging mobility trends, financing, and the active involvement of private sector and civil society organizations in road safety initiatives.

During the conference, the Government of Uganda was represented by the Hon. Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala. He was accompanied by the Commissioner Transport Regulations and Safety, Katushabe Winstone, Road Safety Officers from the Ministry, and Road Safety Civil Society Players.

The Minister made several key commitments aimed at advancing road safety both locally and globally. He outlined a series of resolutions designed to improve road safety within Uganda and contribute to international efforts to reduce road traffic fatalities by 2030.

The Minister committed to strengthening legislation around traffic and road safety by updating and formulating comprehensive laws, regulations, standards, manuals, and guidelines. In addition, the government pledged to improve the management of road crash and road safety data, ensuring that better information guides policymaking and enforcement. Uganda also emphasized the importance of operationalizing mandatory motor vehicle inspections to ensure that vehicles on the road meet safety standards, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.

Further commitments included enhancing the motor vehicle data registry to support better planning, enforcement, and regulation of road transport services. The Minister also highlighted the need for improved coordination among road safety programs, agencies, and civil society organizations, including encouraging corporate social responsibility by the private sector in supporting road safety initiatives. Finally, the government committed to increasing funding for road safety programs to ensure that adequate resources are allocated for infrastructure, education, and enforcement.

These commitments are a significant part of Uganda’s ongoing efforts to improve road safety and align with global goals. The 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety was an important step forward, not only in reinforcing the international commitment to reducing road traffic deaths but also in demonstrating Uganda's determination to make its roads safer. With a continued focus on legislative reform, data management, vehicle safety, and inter-sectoral collaboration, Uganda is poised to make meaningful progress toward the target of halving global road deaths by 2030. Through these efforts, the Government of Uganda remains committed to ensuring that every journey on its roads is safer, with the ultimate goal of protecting lives and building a more sustainable road transport system.

One of the key outcomes of the conference was the strong emphasis on strengthening road safety governance, improving data collection and analysis, and leveraging new technologies to address the growing challenges posed by road traffic injuries and fatalities. Participants also discussed the vital connection between road safety and other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the importance of integrating road safety into broader development efforts. A major highlight was Africa's role as the host continent, which brought special attention to the region’s unique challenges and opportunities in improving road safety.

Uganda’s Commitments at the Marrakech Conference;

At the 4th Global Ministerial Conference, the Hon. Minister of Works and Transport represented the Government of Uganda and made the following key commitments to support the global vision of safer roads:

1. Strengthening Legislation: The government will continue to update and formulate comprehensive laws, regulations, standards, manuals, and guidelines to enhance traffic and road safety.
2. Improving Road Safety Data Management: Efforts will be made to improve the collection, management, and use of road crash and road safety data to guide policy and enforcement decisions.
3. Operationalizing Mandatory Motor Vehicle Inspections: The government is committed to enforcing mandatory vehicle inspections to ensure roadworthiness and reduce vehicle-related accidents.
4. Improving Motor Vehicle Data Registry: The government will enhance the motor vehicle data registry to support better planning, enforcement, and regulation of road transport services.
5. Strengthening Coordination of Road Safety Programs: Uganda will improve coordination among road safety programs and agencies, including encouraging corporate social responsibility from the private sector to support road safety initiatives.
6. Increasing Funding for Road Safety: A commitment to allocate increased funding to support the implementation of road safety programs, ensuring that resources are available to improve infrastructure, education, and enforcement.