Helmet Policy Brief
Helmet Report Uganda
January 2023 Quarterly Boda Report

SAFE HELMETS UGANDA PROJECT (SHUP):

Safe Way Right Way with funding from Global Road Safety Partnerships is implementing the Safe Helmets Uganda Project (SHUP). The project aims to

  1. Support the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to define a standard for safe helmets for use & distribution, and the MoWT in the review and update of motorcycle & tricycle regulations 2016 to include the standard.
  2. Increase Public awareness of helmet standards, usage and promote accessibility of safe helmets.

In Uganda today boda bodas are the fastest growing mode of transport and are growing ever more popular especially in the urban centers due to their flexibility and ability to maneuver through heavy traffic. The latest data from the WHO shows that in 2016, there were over 940,000 registered motorcycles and tricycles in Uganda (WHO-2018), a sharp increase from the 100,000 reported to have been registered as of 2009.

The number reported in 2016 made up 59% of the total vehicle fleet in Uganda at the time. However despite their popularity, they are also considered most risky due to their lack of an exo skeleton and the fact that riders and passengers do not wear crash helmets regularly.

According to the 2021 Uganda Police Annual Crime report, there was an increase in the number of motorcyclists killed on the road by 21% from 1,146 in 2020 to 1,390 in 2021 which is worrisome trend.

The Safe Helmets Uganda Project seeks to promote the usage of Safe Helmets in the Country; It aims to bridge the gap between the public and private sector; and government institutions by ensuring that front line citizens that is Boda Boda riders and private sector (helmet distributors) are involved in processes of reviewing and updating the Motorcycle and tricycle regulations, 2016 and the helmet standards. This will be achieved through well-coordinated efforts that will bring together all the respective stakeholders to deliberate and contribute to the solutions making clear of every road users’ responsibilities.

Through the project, Safe Way Right Way harnesses partnerships with legislators, government agencies, private companies and CSOs to implement advocacy initiatives and to conduct mass awareness campaigns of the standards, regulations, and positive utilization of safe helmets.