Uganda Commemorates World Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims 2025 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Mulago
Under the global theme “Remember, Support, Act,” Uganda joined the rest of the world on Sunday, 16 November 2025 to honour the lives lost and forever changed by road traffic crashes. The national commemoration took place at St. Joseph’s catholic church, Mulago where road safety stakeholders, survivors, families and advocates gathered for a solemn and impactful observance of the World Day of Remembrance for Road crash Victims (WDoR).
The event offered a moment of reflection on the massive human toll of road crashes in Uganda. As a country, we tragically lose an estimated 14 people on a daily on our road lives cut short, families shattered, and communities left grieving. The remembrance ceremony emphasised the need to support victims, survivors, and affected families, ensuring their voices remain central in the push for safer roads.
This year’s commemoration re-energized collective resolve to change the narrative on road safety in Uganda. Participants reaffirmed their dedication to taking decisive, life-saving action that prioritizes the safety of every road user.
The message was clear: Remember those we have lost, Support those who live with the consequences and Act to prevent future crashes.
The commemoration was made possible through strong partnerships with Ministry of Works and Transport, Capital City Authority (KCCA), Road Safety Advocacy Coalition Uganda (ROSACU), Faith leaders and community representatives/ congregates and Other dedicated partners and advocates
That day also involved visiting visited road crash victims in the Mulago Hospital ward after the church service, which provided us with a distressing firsthand view at the severity of the situation. Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Joseph Mubiru revealed that the team is frequently overburdened by the sheer volume of patients they see, many of whom are severely traumatized boda riders. He pointed out that the most frequent and catastrophic cases they deal with are still head injuries. The 10–15% monthly fatality rate among these patients serves as a sobering reminder of the critical need for more strong road safety interventions.
As the ceremony concluded, partners reaffirmed their commitment to work together toward a crash-free future. The World Day of Remembrance serves not only as a moment of mourning but also as a powerful call to action one that urges all stakeholders to invest in safer systems, better policies, and stronger enforcement.
