Youth Innovation Takes the Lead: Students Champion Safer Boda-Boda journey at the Transport & Logistics Innovation Challenge 2026/2027 at MUBS
URRENO, through the Youth for Road Safety (YOURS) initiative, partnered with the Makerere University Transport and Logistics Students Association to host the Transport and Logistics Innovation Challenge 2026/2027 at Makerere University Business School under the theme “closing the gap on helmet use: practical solution for safer boda boda Mobility in Uganda”.
The event brought together an energetic community of university students, innovators, and road safety advocates to address a critical issue in urban mobility, low motorcycle passenger helmet use.
Motorcycle transport, commonly known as boda boda, remains one of the most widely used forms of transport in Kampala and across Uganda. However, helmet use among passengers remains critically low (1-7%) despite the high risks associated with motorcycle crashes. The Innovation Challenge therefore sought to tap into the creativity and ingenuity of young people to design solutions that can improve helmet accessibility, usability, and adoption among passengers.
The event attracted a remarkable turnout of students whose enthusiasm and curiosity filled the room with energy and excitement. University teams presented creative and practical ideas aimed at improving passenger helmet use through design, technology, and behaviour change approaches.
Beyond the innovation pitches, the challenge also featured an engaging road safety quiz that tested participants’ knowledge on helmet use and safe mobility. The quiz sparked lively participation and reflection among students. Participants who excelled were awarded helmets, reinforcing the importance of practicing the very safety measures being promoted.
The event was further enriched by insightful messages from distinguished guests and keynote speakers, including representatives from the Ministry of Works and Transport Uganda, Michael Kananura, spokesperson of the Uganda Police Force Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, and the Head of Department of Transport and Logistics at Makerere University Business School. All speakers emphasized the critical importance of helmet use in preventing severe head injuries and saving lives on Uganda’s roads.
Their remarks reinforced a key message: improving road safety requires collective action, innovation, and strong engagement from young people.
At the end of the challenge, the winners were recognized for their outstanding ideas and innovative approaches. However, every participant contributed meaningfully to the conversation on safer mobility. URRENO congratulates the winners and applauds all students who took part in this remarkable challenge.
Through partnerships such as this, URRENO remains committed to empowering young people and providing platforms where they can showcase their ideas, creativity, and leadership in road safety advocacy.
By involving youth in innovation and decision-making processes, we are not only nurturing future leaders but also developing practical, community-driven solutions that can make Uganda’s roads safer for everyone.
Because the ideas that will shape safer roads tomorrow are already emerging from the minds of today’s young innovators.
