VIA ROAD SAFETY TRAINING STRENGTHENS CAPACITY IN BULIISA
Safe Way Right Way (SWRW), in collaboration with TotalEnergies Uganda, has continued its mission to promote safer mobility for school-going children through a series of impactful refresher trainings under the VIA road safety program. Recent sessions held in Buliisa District brought together educators from over 100 schools, reinforcing their role as frontline advocates for road safety in the Albertine region.
On 28th May, 2025 the SWRW team camped in Buliisa Town Council for a one-day immersive training that drew educators from across the district. The session aimed to deepen their understanding of road safety concepts and refresh their knowledge using the VIA manual, a tool tailored to the Ugandan context for young people aged 10 to 18 years.
During the Buliisa workshop, Ms. Kabonesa Sophia, the District Education Supervisor, commended the ongoing initiative and urged the teachers to fully embrace the knowledge gained and take it back to their schools.
“The true value of this training will be seen in how it transforms the behaviour and safety of our pupils. Let’s put this knowledge to work,” she emphasized.
Led by Monica, the VIA Project Head, and Syline Assasira, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, the training focused on interactive methodologies including brainstorming, case studies, and group presentations. Teachers discussed real-world road safety challenges, reviewed crash data collected from schools, and explored advocacy tools such as writing to local authorities based on their findings.
“Teachers are not just educators; they are changemakers,” Monica noted. “Their daily presence in schools makes them well-positioned to drive a culture of road safety, and this training empowers them to do exactly that.”
The VIA program, which operates in Kampala and the five Tilenga project districts, has so far trained 269 teachers from 138 schools. The initiative adopts a “train-the-trainer” model, allowing educators to disseminate vital road safety knowledge to thousands of students annually.
One notable highlight discussed during the sessions was the potential use of road safety theme songs and community caravans to engage learners and surrounding communities more creatively. Teachers also received guidance on improving their reporting to meet donor expectations, including detailed tracking of student behaviours change, crash reports, and follow-up actions.
As the program evolves, initiatives such as installing road safety signage, fencing high-risk schools, and orienting community road safety ambassadors are being considered to extend impact beyond classroom walls.
“Our goal is not just to teach, but to create a ripple effect of awareness and action,” Syline explained. “Each teacher here becomes a multiplier of life-saving knowledge.”
At the end of the training, Ms. Kabonesa Sophia, the District Education Supervisor, awarded Traffic flags to representatives from the different schools in attendance to help in their endeavours on ensuring road safety most especially when learners are crossing busy roads.
With consistent support from TotalEnergies Uganda, the VIA road safety initiative continues to build momentum one school, one teacher, and one community at a time to achieve zero deaths on the roads.
VIA ROAD SAFETY TRAINING IN HOIMA
In a bid to tackle the growing risks of road accidents involving schoolchildren, over 100 teachers from Hoima City and Kikuube town council, Hoima district convened at Hoima Resort Hotel on Tuesday for a one-day refresher training in road safety education.
The workshop was organized by Safe Way Right Way (SWRW) with support from TotalEnergies Uganda as part of the VIA program, a flagship initiative targeting young people aged 10 to 18 years in Kampala and five Tilenga project districts.
The training focused on strengthening the capacity of teachers to deliver effective road safety awareness sessions, particularly in high-risk areas. It brought together educators from 50 schools, all of whom play a crucial role in passing on life-saving knowledge to their pupils.
Leading the training were Monica, the Project Head for VIA, and Syline Assasira, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. The session combined presentations, group discussions, and interactive brainstorming to reinforce key principles of safe mobility and improve teachers’ ability to report program outcomes.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Hariet Asiimwe, Inspector of Schools for Hoima City, emphasized the value of the VIA campaign in the Albertine region.
“The VIA campaign is not just a project. It is a commitment to protecting our children’s lives,” Asiimwe said. “We thank Safe Way Right Way and TotalEnergies Uganda for their tireless efforts in advancing global road safety education.”
The VIA program uses a “train-the-trainer” approach, where teachers are equipped to deliver road safety lessons using a standardized manual. To date, 269 teachers from 138 schools have been trained under this model, with refresher sessions like the one in Hoima designed to address evolving challenges and knowledge gaps.
During the workshop, participants shared lessons learned from their schools, voiced implementation challenges, and discussed ways to tailor content for local realities. Teachers also reviewed donor reporting requirements to ensure accurate communication of project results.
According to Monica, the refresher training is essential in keeping the program alive and responsive.
“These teachers are the backbone of the VIA initiative. They are the ones on the frontlines educating, guiding, and shaping a generation that understands road safety,” she said.
Syline Assasira highlighted the role of teacher feedback in improving the program.
“Our ability to measure impact and improve depends heavily on the insights from the field. These sessions with the teachers help us as Safe Way Right Way to stay aligned with the real needs on the ground,” she said.
The VIA program continues to expand across the Tilenga project districts and Kampala, reinforcing its mission to build a national culture of road safety starting in schools. Tuesday’s workshop in Hoima marked yet another step toward making roads safer countrywide.
TEACHERS IN NWOYA RE-ENERGIZED TO CHAMPION ROAD SAFETY IN SCHOOLS UNDER VIA PROJECT
On Friday, May 30th, 2025, over 50 teachers from across the region gathered for a VIA refresher training workshop at district head quarters. The event was a key activity under the VIA Road Safety Project, implemented by Safe Way Right Way (SWRW) with funding from TotalEnergies Uganda.
The training aimed to strengthen and revitalize the capacity of teachers to deliver road safety education to schoolchildren particularly in communities that are vulnerable to road crashes.
The session kicked off with a heartfelt experience-sharing segment, allowing teachers to speak openly about the realities and challenges they face in their communities. From unsafe pedestrian pathways to children being transported unsafely on motorcycles, the issues raised painted a clear picture of why road safety education is so urgently needed in schools.
Representing TotalEnergies Uganda, Mr. Goffrey Ociti addressed the teachers with a message of encouragement and purpose.
“We commend Safe Way Right Way for their tireless work and we thank you, the teachers, for being the backbone of this initiative,” Mr. Ociti said.
“Road safety begins with awareness and that begins with you in the classroom.”
His words served as a reminder that while road safety is a national concern, it starts with everyday actions by individuals, especially educators shaping the behavior of young road users.
The VIA – Uganda program is a road safety initiative that targets young people aged 10 to 18 years. It is currently implemented in Kampala and five Tilenga project districts, including Nwoya. The project uses a “train-the-trainer” model, where teachers are trained to deliver road safety awareness lessons using the VIA manual.
So far, 269 teachers across 138 schools have been trained. These refresher workshops aim to; Bridge knowledge gaps, support teachers in improving delivery, and respond to real-life challenges observed during implementation.
Throughout the day, teachers engaged in interactive sessions involving; Lectures, Group discussions, presentations, and Brainstorming exercises.
All sessions were facilitated by SWRW staff, using the VIA manual and practical data like Crash data reporting tools and analysis, risks specific to children and pedestrians, Tailoring road safety messages to local contexts, reporting techniques to align with donor expectations.
“This refresher has reminded us of how important our role is,” said a teacher from Anaka.
“The tools we’ve been given today will help us not just educate, but protect our children.”
The VIA Road Safety Project is more than just a training program. It is a nationwide movement one that is slowly transforming schools into safe mobility hubs and empowering teachers to lead the way in preventing crashes and saving lives.
TEACHERS IN PAKWACH EQUIPPED TO CHAMPION ROAD SAFETY UNDER VIA PROJECT
In the heart of Pakwach Town Council, a group of passionate educators gathered for a one-day refresher training on road safety, organized by Safe Way Right Way (SWRW) with funding from TotalEnergies Uganda under the ongoing VIA program. The training brought together teachers from schools spread across the district, all united by a common goal—to protect children from the increasing dangers on Uganda’s roads.
The session was led by Syline Assasira, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at SWRW, who focused on helping teachers navigate and utilize crash data assessment forms. These tools are critical in helping schools understand the realities around them and collect data that informs road safety interventions in their specific communities.
“Teachers are not just educators in the classroom,” Syline shared. “They are our eyes and ears in the community. The data they collect can directly lead to safer school zones, informed programming, and potentially—saved lives.”
A Localized Approach to a National Challenge
Unlike previous sessions held in larger urban centers, the Pakwach training was tailored to reflect the unique road safety challenges faced in rural and peri-urban communities. Teachers discussed real-life scenarios, such as children walking long distances to school on roads used by speeding vehicles and boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) carrying multiple children at once.
Through interactive discussions and practical demonstrations, teachers were empowered to identify crash-prone zones, map school routes, and engage students in meaningful road safety exercises.
“Our school sits near a market, and we’ve seen children almost get hit by vehicles more times than I can count,” one teacher shared during a breakout session. “This training has given us the confidence to talk to parents, local leaders, and even the transporters.”
What the VIA Project Means for Pakwach
The VIA – Uganda program targets young people aged 10 to 18 years and is implemented by SWRW in Kampala and five Tilenga project districts, including Pakwach. The program is designed around a train-the-trainer model, where teachers are equipped to deliver regular road safety awareness sessions in their schools.
Since its inception, the VIA program has trained 269 teachers across 138 schools, creating a ripple effect of road safety knowledge that reaches thousands of students. In Pakwach, this training ensures that even remote schools are not left behind in the effort to foster a culture of road awareness and responsible road use.
Looking Ahead: Teachers as Road Safety Ambassadors
The refresher training also emphasized the importance of accurate reporting. Teachers were introduced to simplified reporting guidelines to help them share the impact of their road safety activities with program coordinators and donors.
The day ended with a renewed commitment from the teachers to serve as road safety ambassadors not just within their schools, but across their communities.
“We’re not just teaching children how to cross the road,” one participant said. “We’re teaching families how to protect their future.”
With continued support from TotalEnergies Uganda and the dedication of teachers on the ground, the VIA project in Pakwach is not just a training—it’s a movement that is quietly transforming the way communities think about and respond to road safety.
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