Local Actions winner launches #BeRoadSmartUG campaign

Local Actions winner, Kenneth Mulinde along with his team at Youth Arts Movement Uganda, launched the #BeRoadSmartUG campaign – an activity under the Safe Ride Project that aims to create awareness about the urgency of road safety for female travelers by posting strategies that respond to women’s rights. It also advocates for decision-makers to enact laws that guarantee safer mobility and safe public spaces for females and other vulnerable road users which include children and persons with disabilities. 

Kenny and his team believe that Uganda can have fewer road crash fatalities and healthier and more livable streets when road users are empowered, equipped with road safety knowledge, made aware of the risks and gains of driving, and are generally given the opportunity to contribute and take action for road safety. They plan to do this by using art, media, and the creativity of young people across Uganda. 

The campaign was launched in May where Kenny recruited a team of 35 young volunteers to work as the campaign task force. Kenny and his team are currently in the fourth month of implementing the project and have engaged with different stakeholders across Uganda through social media.

Kenny and his team have already organized a youth forum on women’s rights which involved eight partner organizations. They are working on creating a “youth petition”, policy briefs, and a document that applies a feminist concept on road safety.

Following the youth forum, the team is also organizing a stakeholders’ forum which invites three key stakeholders to join. These organizations include; Uganda National Roads Authority, Uganda Police Directorate of Traffic, and Kampala City Council Authority. The team is also working on inviting private organizations that include the County View Driving School, SafeBoda, and Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA). The event is scheduled for the 25th of October 2021. 

 

According to Kenny and his team, the road safety education campaign has been “well received” by the public. They report that majority of the participants have showed interest in road safety and have joined efforts to share their knowledge on road safety to their peers and family.