UNA Uganda Secretary General’s Visit to Washington: Push for Road Safety, Alcohol and Tobacco Control

The Secretary-General of the United Nations Association of Uganda (UNA Uganda), Baguma Richard recently engaged in an enriching “Lunch and Learn” session with teams from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator and the Center for Tobacco-Free Kids during his visit to Washington, D.C. The discussions centered on critical public health challenges, particularly road safety, alcohol control, and tobacco regulation in Uganda.

In his presentation on road safety, the Secretary-General highlighted the pressing issues Uganda faces in this area. Road crashes are the leading cause of death and injury among young people, significantly impacting children’s safe mobility to school. Notably, children aged 0 to 17 make up 50.5% of Uganda’s population, making road safety an urgent concern. The informal transport sector, including boda bodas and shared taxis, is widely used by young people, many of whom rely on it for their livelihood. Unfortunately, the lack of adequate safety measures, such as the low use of helmets and standardized protective gear, child restraints and seat belt use puts millions at risk.

The Secretary-General also acknowledged the efforts of the Road Safety Advocacy Coalition Uganda (ROSACU), which continues to push for stronger regulations on seat belt use, helmet use and child restraints to improve road safety. While challenges remain, he emphasized the promising opportunities to advance road safety advocacy in Uganda.

In addition, the Secretary-General discussed Uganda’s efforts in alcohol control, particularly the reinstatement of the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill, which was recently rejected by the Ugandan Parliament. Despite financial constraints and the high costs associated with media campaigns, parliamentary engagements, and country-wide advocacy, we remain dedicated to the Bill’s reinstatement aimed to curb alcohol-related harm in the country.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to reinforce UNA Uganda’s commitment to tobacco control, allowing both parties to update one another on ongoing initiatives and explore future collaboration. UNA Uganda, together with global partners, remains steadfast in its mission to promote healthier and safer communities for all.

Through these discussions, the Secretary-General reaffirmed UNA Uganda’s dedication to addressing Uganda’s public health challenges and working closely with global partners to find sustainable solutions.