Advocacy
SCALING UP SAFER SCHOOL ZONE ADVOCACY PROJECT IN UGANDA
HOVITA is currently implementing a Safer School Zone Pilot Project supported by Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) and Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) aimed at reducing injuries and deaths among school going children in Uganda by introducing the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) star rating of schools’ concept to guide both interim small infrastructure improvements and encourage long term sustainable investment in safety by government. This is being piloted in two selected schools in Gulu City with the aim to scale up the interventions of the project onto other schools all over the country.
The project is aligned to the Third National Development Plan (NDP III), specifically addressing intervention 5, “Increase urban resilience by mitigating against accidents and flood” of Objective 3 (Promote green and inclusive cities and urban areas) in the Sustainable Urbanization and Housing section and Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services Program. Furthermore, the project supports implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially SDG 3, target 3.6 which states that, “By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from traffic accidents”, and SDG 11, target 11.2 which states that, “by 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations like women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons. “The project will also contribute to addressing the 4th pillar Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety on Safer road users
In order to achieve the project aspirations, the following objectives will be addressed:
- Advocate for the review of Traffic and Road Safety Speed Limit Regulation (2004) to include the provision of a speed limit of 30km/hour for school areas
- Support the design and implementation of safe school zones around selected schools.
THE SIXTH UN GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK 2021
Uganda joined the rest of the world in marking the 6th United Nations Global Road Safety on the 19th May 2021 at St Peter’s Primary school Nsambya under the theme: “Streets for Life # Love 30”. This event was jointly executed by Hope for Victims of Traffic Accidents (HOVITA) and Uganda Road Accident Reduction Network Organization (URRENO) and Consult Afrika Usalama under the Incubator project.
The event was officiated by the commissioner of transport, regulation and safety, Mr. Wiston Katushabe. And other key stakeholders including a representative from World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Kasule, a representative from KCCA, representatives from Development partners, Uganda Police Force, Civil Society Organizations, and Executive Director of HOVITA, Executive Director of URRENO, Executive Director Consult Afrika Usalama, and School Management Committee of St Peter’s Primary School and Railways Primary School, school children, teachers and the Media.
The activities that were entailed in this event included inspection of Nsambya road bottlenecks, welcoming remarks from URRENO, speech from KCCA, speech from MoW&T, children speak up on road challenges, speech from guest of honor and signing of commitment act.
SMART TRAVEL ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN
In end of the year 2020, the Uganda Insurers’ Association and Hope for Victims of Traffic Accidents (HOVITA) launched the Smart Travel Road Safety Campaign. The Campaign slogan was “A safe Journey Starts with You”. Its main focus was on Bus Drivers and Passenger Safety. Often during festivities of December, there are more Crashes by Buses and this campaign aimed at reducing the road crashes.
UN REMEMBRANCE DAY
On 15th November 2020 was the United Nations World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, and Uganda joined the rest of the world in marking the event that was celebrated under the theme “Remember Lives Lost and Broken, Support Survivors, Bereaved Families and First Responders, Act to Save Lives”.
The Uganda Insurers Association (UIA) in partnership with Hope for Victims of Traffic Accidents (HOVITA), and Consult Afrika Usalama (CAU) joined the World to celebrate the day at China Uganda Friendship Hospital –Naguru on 16th December, 2020. The day was officiated by the WHO Uganda Representative, Dr. Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam with about 50 invited guests.
The WHO team was composed of Dr. Fatunmbi Bayo and Dr. Hafisa Kasule, the Consultant, Non-Communicable Diseases. The day was honoured by many stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Gender, Bankers Association, Civil Society, Media, Medical officers from Naguru Hospital, Uganda Police Force, Insurance Institute, Amputee Self Help Network, and Institute of Brokers Association Uganda. Its coverage was about 2335, viewership and 850 Post engagements on social Media platform.
The day was graced with several activities such as the unveiling of the UIA Road Safety Ambassador, Ms. Hilda Twogyerwe. Also, the Report of Writing for families Bereaved by Road crash Crashes was also launched.
GLOBAL FLEET CHAMPIONS CAMPAIGN /AWARDS
The project commenced implementation in June 2019 and the Award Dinner was held on the 31st January 2020. The project is implemented by HOVITA in Uganda supported by Brake the Road safety Charity UK. Global Fleet Champions is a not-for-profit global campaign to whose aim is to prevent road crashes and reduce pollution caused by vehicles used for work purposes.
Global Fleet Champions Awards celebrate the best safety and sustainability standards of fleets anywhere in the world, including in low- and middle-income nations. As a result of this campaign, we awarded the best fleet operator MARKH INVESTMENTS whose priority was safety. The company had moved 7 million kilometers for 3 years without fatal Accidents.