From Footsteps to Freedom
Why Walking and Cycling Are Kampala’s Path to a Greener, Safer Future.
Imagine a Kampala where the morning commute isn’t a chaotic dance of honking cars and swerving boda bodas, but a vibrant flow of people strolling confidently on wide, well-maintained sidewalks or pedaling along the dedicated cycling lanes. A city where walking and cycling aren’t just ways to get around but celebrated as smart, sustainable and inclusive choices that power healthier lives and greener streets. This isn’t a distance dream, it’s a vision within reach, and it starts with embracing active mobility.
In Uganda’s bustling capital Kampala, walking is already the heartbeat of daily life. According to the Greater Kampala Multi-Modal Transport Master Plan,46% of all journeys over a kilometre are made on foot, while cycling chips in at 2%. Thats 2.5 million Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) trips every single day, a number projected to climb to 8million by 2040. Yet, despite these astounding figures, walking and cycling are often dismissed as the transport of the “broke’ or a necessary evil for those who can’t afford a car or motorbike. Its time to flip that narrative.
In Uganda’s bustling capital Kampala, walking is already the heartbeat of daily life. According to the Greater Kampala Multi-Modal Transport Master Plan,46% of all journeys over a kilometre are made on foot, while cycling chips in at 2%. Thats 2.5 million Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) trips every single day, a number projected to climb to 8million by 2040.
The Power of Active Mobility.
Walking and cycling aren’t just about getting from point A to point B. They’re about reclaiming our streets, reducing traffic congestion, and cutting down on crashes that disproportionately harm vulnerable road users like pedestrians. They’re about cleaner air, healthier bodies and a city that works for everyone whether you’re a student, a market vendor or a corporate worker. Active mobility is a cornerstone of sustainable Urban transport and its time we treated it as such.
Kampala has taken steps in the right direction. Take the 2km NMT corridor from Namirembe Road through Luwum Street to Entebbe Road, a dedicated space for pedestrians and cyclists meant to make active trave safe and enjoyable. But let’s be real: this corridor is under siege. Motorists and boda bodas encroach on it, maintenance is spotty, and some sections have been repurposed for garbage collection. Instead of a shining example of Urban progress, it’s a reminder of how far we still have to go.
Breaking the Stigma
One of the biggest hurdles to normalising walking and cycling in Kampala is the stigma that paints them as a sign of poverty. This mindset is not just outdated, its harmful. Walking and cycling are smart choices that save money, boost physical health, and reduce carbon footprint. Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen have made active mobility a way of life, proving its not about being ‘broke’ but about being bold enough to prioritize sustainability and inclusivity. So how do we make walking and cycling the cool. Go-to options in Kampala? It starts with action-bold, intentional action.
So, how do we make walking and cycling the cool, go-to options in Kampala? It starts with action—bold, intentional, and inclusive action.
Our Roadmap to change
- We need more dedicated pedestrians’ walkways and cycling lanes that are safe, accessible and well-maintained. no more letting boda bodas or garbage piles steal these spaces
- Public campaigns can change hearts and minds. Let’s celebrate the benefits of active mobility-lower transport costs, better health and a cleaner environment. Hight stories of everyday kampalans who walk or cycle, showing it’s a choice foe everyone not just a last resort.
- City planners must prioritize NMT in every blueprint. From proper signage to seamless connections between neighbourhoods, walking and cycling should be as intuitive as driving.
- We can lead by example. Kampala can be a beacon for other African cities. By investing in NMT. We send a message to policymakers everywhere: Active Mobility isn’t a side note; it’s the future.
Kampala’s streets are alive with the footsteps of millions, each one a testament to the power of active mobility. But to unlock its full potential, we need to stop treating walking and cycling as second-class options. Let’s demand better infrastructure, challenge outdated stigma, and build a city a city where every step and pedal stroke moves us closer to a safer, greener and more inclusive future.
So, next time you lace up your shoes or hop on a bike, know that you’re not just getting around you ’re part of a movement. Let’s walk and cycles our way to a better Kampala, one step at a time.
