Northern Bypass has nine of Kampala’s 10 major crash hotspots

What the report says

Kampala’s Northern Bypass has been identified as one of the city’s most dangerous road corridors, with nine of Kampala’s 10 major crash hotspots located along the route, according to the 2025 Kampala Road Safety Report cited by The Independent Uganda. The report was released by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and findings were presented by KCCA surveillance coordinator Stella Namatovu. Areas named in the report include Bwaise Interchange, Bwaise Roundabout, Masanafu, the Kyambogo-Najera Junction, Kalerwe Roundabout, Kyebando police junction, Busega Roundabout and the Queen’s Way-Katwe section.

The report places Kampala’s crash problem in the wider national context, noting that Uganda Police recorded 5,383 road deaths in 2025, up from 5,144 in 2024. It says motorcyclists and pedestrians remain the most exposed road users. In Kampala, pedestrians accounted for 43% of reported deaths and motorcyclists for about half, while vulnerable road users overall made up roughly 94% of fatalities. The most affected age group was 20 to 29-year-olds, and men represented the large majority of victims.

The article says fatal crashes in Kampala were most common between 2pm and 4pm, while October was the deadliest month. KCCA officials urged a shift from simply documenting crashes to preventing them through engineering, enforcement and road-user education, especially along the Northern Bypass. They also called for more attention to pedestrian safety, motorcycle safety, signage, road design and targeted measures during high-risk periods.

Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga blamed part of the problem on the condition of the city’s road network, while also praising ongoing road works. KCCA Deputy Executive Director Simon Kigenyi said the data is intended to guide interventions in the locations and time periods where risk is highest.