Joe Walker Foundation calls for road safety to be declared a national public health emergency 

The Joe Walker Foundation has called on the Ugandan government to declare road safety a national public health emergency following a growing number of deadly road crashes across the country.

In a statement issued on July 21, 2026, Foundation founder Joseph Beyanga mourned the deaths of children, teachers, passengers, drivers and other road users killed in recent accidents, while sending condolences to affected families.

Beyanga said road crashes should no longer be treated as isolated incidents but as a national crisis requiring urgent and coordinated action.

He argued that declaring road safety a public health emergency would bring together key sectors, including health, transport, education, police, local governments and emergency response agencies, to develop a unified safety programme.

The Foundation proposed the creation of a central database for commercial drivers containing information on qualifications, medical fitness, employers, offences and safety records. It also called for regular driver assessments, strict vehicle inspections, monitoring of working hours and stronger accountability for transport operators.

Beyanga emphasized that responsibility should extend beyond drivers to vehicle owners and companies that allow unsafe practices such as speeding, overloading and operating unroadworthy vehicles.

He also urged schools, businesses and institutions that hire transport services to conduct safety checks, including verifying drivers’ qualifications, vehicle conditions and journey risks before transporting people.

The Foundation further called for investment in emergency response systems, trauma care, safer roads, enforcement of traffic laws and mechanisms for passengers to report dangerous driving.

“Ugandans do not deserve to die because of avoidable accidents,” Beyanga said, adding that the country owes road crash victims more than condolences but accountability and lasting change.