As we approach festival season, I felt strong conviction that I pause my articles on Real Estate today and rant about the safety of our Ugandan Roads. In recent years, road accidents have consistently ranked as one of the leading causes of death in Uganda, claiming thousands of lives annually. According to data from Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport, approximately 10 people die in road accidents every day. In 2022 alone, the country reported over 19,000 road crashes, with around 3,500 resulting in fatalities and over 12,000 causing serious injuries. These numbers reflect a troubling reality: while traffic incidents are an issue worldwide, Uganda’s rates are exceptionally high compared to global averages.

Some Christians speculate that these accidents are caused by supernatural forces. Some believe that “dark forces” or curses haunt particular stretches of highway, attributing accidents to spiritual powers rather than human error. However, by attributing accidents solely to spiritual forces, we may overlooks a critical factor that is within our control: character and behavior of drivers on the road. For example one of our staff members shared a testimony during our Monday morning devotion about driving an unroadworthy vehicle all the way to Mbale and back without incident. While he considered it a testimony, I reminded him of the dangers involved both for himself and others on the road and urged him to prioritize vehicle safety in the future.

Observations and research suggest that much of Uganda’s road safety crisis stems from a lack of accountability, respect for traffic laws, and basic road etiquette. Key behavioral factors contribute significantly to the high accident rate:

Despite the country’s often inadequate road infrastructure, many drivers treat the roads as racetracks. Speeding, reckless overtaking on blind curves, and aggressive tailgating are widespread. This competitive driving mentality, combined with narrow roads, puts lives at constant risk.

 Enforcement of traffic laws should be a key measure to maintain road safety. However, corruption often undermines this process. It’s common for drivers to offer bribes to evade penalties, fostering a culture of impunity. When those responsible for enforcing the rules overlook them, it signals that safety is negotiable, allowing dangerous behaviors to persist unchecked.

Many cars on the road are unfit for driving, leading to accidents from mechanical failures. While routine checks could prevent many of these accidents, they are bypassed due to maybe financial constraints.

 Many Ugandan drivers adopt a risky, overconfident approach, believing they are immune to accidents. This attitude can lead to distracted driving, ignoring seat belts, driving while on phone and speeding—all of which compound the risk of accidents. When individuals underestimate the impact of minor road violations, they often contribute to major tragedies.

Uganda’s deep spirituality naturally leads people to prayer when facing challenges, including road safety. Many gather for prayers, hoping for divine protection on their travels. While faith is vital, prayers alone cannot alter the risky driving behaviors that largely contribute to these accidents. Real change requires a commitment to respectful, cautious, and lawful driving habits, which must be upheld by each driver on the road.

For our prayers for road safety to be truly effective, they need to be paired with a transformation in how we drive. Responsible actions, respect for the rules, and a genuine concern for others on the road are essential changes each of us must make.

Improving Uganda’s road safety situation requires more than prayers and infrastructure upgrades. It calls for a fundamental cultural shift, beginning with drivers’ attitudes and reinforced by fair, uncompromised law enforcement. We must recognize that human behavior, not supernatural forces, is the primary driver of Uganda’s road accident crisis.

By accepting responsibility for our own actions, enforcing accountability, and fostering a culture of safety, we can transform Uganda’s roads from places of danger into paths of safe and peaceful travel.