Uganda’s Bold Step: Police Move to Slash Highway Speed Limit to 90 km/h in a Bid to Save Lives — But Not Everyone Agrees
KAMPALA — Uganda is taking a decisive, and some say overdue, step to make its roads safer. In a fresh directive aimed at reducing the alarming rise in road accident deaths, the Uganda Police Force has announced new national speed guidelines. The biggest change: the maximum speed limit on highways will soon drop from 100 km/h to 90 km/h.
The announcement came through SP Michael Kananura, spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, who emphasized that the update targets safer driving behavior and fewer fatalities. He noted in a public statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) that research clearly shows speed has a direct link to survival rates: a pedestrian struck by a car traveling at 30 km/h has as much as a 90% chance of surviving. The message is clear — lower speeds save lives.
According to the revised speed zoning plan, limits will be strictly enforced as follows: 30 km/h in heavily crowded areas such as markets, schools, and hospitals; 50 km/h in urban or built-up areas; 90 km/h on highways; and 100 km/h on expressways where traffic flow is more controlled.
The timing of this move aligns with Uganda’s broader traffic safety reform. Alongside the new speed policy, authorities are fast-tracking the rollout of the Electronic Penalty System (EPS), a digital framework designed to catch and penalize offenders more efficiently — including those guilty of speeding or dangerous lane changes.
But here’s where it gets complicated: Many road users have questioned how soon these new rules can be enforced given that most highway signs still show the old 100 km/h limit. Addressing the confusion, SP Kananura clarified that enforcement will begin only once the Ministry of Works and Transport updates all road signage nationwide. “The revised regulations propose 90 km/h, and enforcement will start once the signs reflect this change,” he assured one concerned user online.
Public Reaction: Applause and Doubts
Reaction from motorists has been mixed but passionate. Many supported the initiative, calling it a necessary measure to curb Uganda’s crash rates. “When you’re speeding, there’s barely enough time to brake safely in an emergency,” wrote road user Christopher Senyimba, stressing that the simplest way to arrive on time is just to start earlier. His thoughtful comment earned a brief but warm response from SP Kananura himself: “Well said.”
Other users shared vivid personal experiences that highlighted how slower speeds can make the difference between life and death. One driver, identifying himself as Jamo, described how he narrowly avoided a serious crash when a boda boda rider veered suddenly into his lane. “If I’d been driving any faster than 25 km/h, it would have been a disaster,” he recalled.
The Human Cost of Speed
This discussion comes in the wake of several tragic incidents in recent weeks, including the devastating Kampala–Gulu Highway crash that claimed 46 lives and another fatal collision involving a boda boda in Bweyogerere. These events have reignited public debate about reckless overtaking, overspeeding, and poor driving discipline on Uganda’s roads.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report for 2024, the country witnessed a staggering 25,107 road crashes last year. These accidents resulted in 4,434 deaths and over 25,800 injuries — figures that underline a worsening safety crisis. Authorities say that while new enforcement technologies are being introduced incrementally, public education remains an equally vital component of the campaign against speeding.
“Speed thrills but kills,” SP Kananura reminded motorists in a follow-up message. “Drive responsibly and arrive safely.”
The Debate: Will Lowering the Limit Work?
While many agree that something must be done, the real question dividing opinion is whether reducing speed limits alone can meaningfully change behavior — especially given poor road conditions, weak enforcement, and a car culture that often prizes speed over safety.
So, what do you think? Will the 90 km/h limit really make Uganda’s highways safer, or are there deeper road safety problems that need fixing first? Share your thoughts — could stricter policing or better driver education be just as critical as slowing down?
