Kampala, Uganda – August 28, 2024:
Today marks the successful conclusion of Prudential Uganda’s six-month SAFE STEPS Road Safety Campaign, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness and promoting safer driving habits nationwide.
This campaign, a collaborative effort between Prudence Foundation, Prudential Uganda, and implemented by Uganda Red Cross Society, has equipped over 8,000 boda boda riders with essential road safety and first aid skills.
The campaign covered Central, Western, and Eastern Uganda, specifically targeting the five divisions within the Kampala Metropolitan Area, as well as Mbarara, Mbale, Masaka, and Mityana districts.
Launched on October 31, 2023, the second phase of the SAFE STEPS campaign built upon the foundations of its predecessor, expounding its focus on promoting road safety, first aid, and behavioral change among boda boda riders.
In addition to hands-on training, the campaign disseminated public service announcement videos, educational posters, and engaged with the media on key road safety topics such as drunk driving, distracted driving, seat belt use, speed limits, and pedestrian safety.
Since its inception in Uganda, the SAFE STEPS campaign has reached over 12,000 boda boda riders.At the closing event, Prudential Uganda’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tetteh Ayitevie, expressed his gratitude and confidence in the campaign’s impact, stating,
“We are incredibly proud of the positive impact the SAFE STEPS campaign has had on the boda boda communities, as evidenced by their shared experiences and understanding of road safety and first aid skills. This initiative is deeply rooted in our sustainability ambition, delivering real-world impact and building long-term resilience in the communities we serve. It is also closely aligned with our purpose, ‘For Every Life, For Every Future.’”
“Road safety is a critical issue, and through our collective efforts, we have made significant strides in educating the public and promoting safer driving practices. Our commitment to road safety does not end here; we will continue to support initiatives aimed at reducing road accidents and saving lives,” Ayitevie added.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Performance report 2023, road traffic crashes totaled to 23,608, of which motorcycles contributed 36% (13,386), followed by motor cars at 28% (10,398).
The road crash fatalities by road user category majorly involved motorcycles riders and their passengers which accounted for 45% of the total number of fatalities recorded in 2023, followed by pedestrians at 37% (1,795), Vehicle occupants at 15 % (737) and pedal cyclists at 3% (140) of all fatalities.
Uganda Red Cross Society’s Secretary General – Kwesiga Robert applauded Prudential Uganda for sustaining the road safety initiative – SAFE STEPS Phase II, implemented by URCS through which over 8,000 boda-boda riders have been trained and sensitized on road safety and first aid.
“At URCS, we are committed to road safety and recognize the rapid escalation of Uganda’s road safety crisis, calling for urgent need for sustained road safety education and sensitization efforts to reduce accidents and save lives.”
Since 2019, URCS has been implementing a response to Public Health Emergencies program funded by the Government of Uganda through Ministry of Health aimed at improving emergency medical services along major highways by providing timely response to casualties of Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) by operating a fleet of 21 Ambulances.
Prudential Uganda’s partnership with URCS through the SAFE STEPS campaign is therefore accelerating the URCS’ mandate to save lives.
Tetteh concluded by noting that the SAFE STEPS campaign will continue in 2024, expanding its reach to more districts beyond the Kampala Metropolitan Area, Mityana, Masaka, Mbale and Masaka.
About Prudence Foundation
Prudence Foundation is the community investment arm of Prudential plc in Asia and Africa. Its mission is to secure the future of communities by enhancing education, health, and safety.
The Foundation runs regional programs as well as local programs in partnership with NGOs, governments, and the private sector in order to maximize the impact of its efforts.
Prudence Foundation leverages Prudential’s long-term mindset and geographical scale to make communities safer, more secure, and more resilient.
The Foundation is a Hong Kong-registered charitable entity.For more information: www.prudencefoundation.com
About Prudential Uganda
Prudential Assurance Uganda Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential plc. Prudential plc provides life and health insurance and asset management in 23 markets across Asia and Africa (at 31 December 2022).
The business helps people get the most out of life, by making healthcare affordable and accessible and by promoting financial inclusion.
Prudential protects people’s wealth, helps them grow their assets, and empowers them to save for their goals.
The business has dual primary listings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (2378) and the London Stock Exchange (PRU). It also has a secondary listing on the Singapore Stock Exchange (K6S) and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (PUK) in the form of American Depositary Receipts.
It is a constituent of the Hang Seng Composite Index and is also included for trading in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme.
Prudential is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc. a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America, nor with The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom. https://www.prudentialplc.com/ Prudential Uganda is regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda.
About Uganda Red Cross
Uganda Red Cross Society is a membership humanitarian organization incorporated in 1964, by an enactment of the Red Cross Act, Cap 57 of the laws of Uganda.
Uganda Red Cross Society plays an auxiliary role to the Government of Uganda, to support humanitarian and emergency causes across the country in an impartial and independent manner, irrespective of race, nationality, ethnic background, political opinions or religious affiliations.
URCS currently has over 500,000 registered members and volunteers countrywide with Twenty (20) Million beneficiaries and people reached during the period 2022 – 2023.