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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The community of Kabalagala, a suburb of Kampala City, is calling on the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to install zebra crossings and traffic lights at two crucial intersections along the Kabalagala-Nsambya road. This appeal comes in response to a troubling increase in road accidents and safety concerns in the area.
Julius Eliba, chairperson of Kabalagala market, reported to URN that the area experiences 3-4 road accidents daily. These accidents often involve individuals attempting to cross the junctions to reach the market, as well as schoolchildren who have been struck by speeding motorists. Eliba highlighted the severe lack of safety features such as zebra crossings, traffic lights, and road humps in the densely populated town.
“We have the challenge of accidents from those who are driving and riding recklessly. You can see there are no zebra crossings, traffic lights, or road humps. This is the only town without these essential safety features that could help manage speeding,” Eliba said.
Robert Bogere, a concerned parent from Kabalagala, shared his personal experience of his son being hit by a boda-boda rider while crossing the road to school. Bogere believes that the presence of a zebra crossing or traffic lights would have prevented the accident.
Sande Ssebunya, chairperson of the Kabalagala boda-boda stage, also supports the installation of zebra crossings and traffic lights, stating that these measures would significantly improve pedestrian safety and ease their struggle to cross the road.
A 2023 study by the Uganda Road Accident Reduction Network Organization (URRENO) indicates that pedestrians are frequently involved in accidents while trying to cross roads, particularly in built-up areas like Kabalagala, where space is limited and conditions are hazardous.
Jackson Musoga, Programs Officer at Hope for Victims of Traffic Accidents (HOVITA), mentioned their recent campaign ‘Commit to Act’, aimed at urging government decision-makers to take specific actions to improve road safety. HOVITA has already approached KCCA about dangerous intersections in Kampala, including Kabalagala, and received assurances that measures will be taken soon.
Despite repeated attempts to reach Daniel Nuwabine, spokesperson for KCCA, for comment on the status of the requested road safety measures, the calls went unanswered.
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