Traffic laws in Uganda- an overview

Uganda’s roads can be challenging, but understanding the country’s traffic laws and regulations helps ensure a smooth and enjoyable safari journey while in Uganda.

Traffic in Uganda is governed by;

• Ministry of works and transport, which is in charge of formulating policies, setting standards and regulating the transport sector.
• Directorate of traffic and road safety, a directorate in the Uganda police Force headed by AIGP Nuwabiine Lawrence responsible for the enforcement of traffic and road safety
• Traffic and road safety act, aimed at providing the legal framework for traffic and road safety in Uganda.

Why traffic laws in Uganda?

Traffic laws in Uganda are designed to ensure road safety and order of users including; pedestrians, drivers, passengers and cyclists, and the primary objective of traffic laws in Uganda is to reduce road accidents, injuries and fatalities by promoting responsible driving and adherence to traffic laws in Uganda.

In this article, we are going to have you get to know the traffic laws in Uganda which will answer most of the questions that have been asked by individuals, let’s go through them here;

Legible Age for Driving in Uganda.

Most of our clients always ask us, at what age am I allowed to drive in Uganda? And according to the Traffic And Road Safety Act, 1998 of Uganda, in section 59, one is considered to drive a motor vehicle if they are aged 18 years and above. Because this ensures that drivers in Uganda have the necessary maturity, experience and skills to drive safely. Below this, one is not eligible to drive

Motor vehicle operator’s license

Having gained the age of 18 years where one becomes legible to drive, the next step is obtaining a driving license. A driving license gives you the permission to drive a motor vehicle in Uganda and having it shows that one has gone through the necessary training and is competent enough to drive on the road safely.

Driving permits in Uganda are issued by the, Uganda Driving Licensing System (UDLS), a project under the ministry of works and transport, who issued driving permits in different classes depending on the motor vehicle that one intends to operate.

For the case of foreigners, driving in Uganda is allowed but on condition of having a valid internationally accepted driving incense, with an acceptable record of driving. and always ensure you move with your passport.

Under section 36(a), 59(B), (e), (f), and (g) and 178 in the traffic and road safety act further talk about the requirements and conditions one needs to meet so as to obtain a driving license in Uganda

Driving side while driving in Uganda

According to the traffic laws in Uganda, Uganda is one of the countries that follows the British tradition of driving on the left hand side of the road. And its clearly stated that we keep left.

On addition to that, vehicles imported in Uganda are typically right hand drive, with a steering column on the right hand side. This configuration is designed for left hand driving. Ensure you keep left while driving in Uganda to observe the traffic laws in Uganda.

Acceptable speed limits in Uganda

 According to the amended speed limits from the traffic and road safety act of Uganda, driving in urban areas for example city centers is strictly at a speed of 50kph, for urban roads being strictly 80kph and on highways, the acceptable speed limit being 100kph.

Initially, before the amendment of the speed limits, driving in urban areas was at 50kph and on highways, the speed was maintained at 100kph. Make sure you take note of this and ensure that you are not given tickets for over speeding.

Traffic signs and signals

While driving in Uganda, you will always notice that you come across lots of road signs, signals and markings. These are very crucial because they direct drivers on how to drive while in Uganda thus promoting road safety. Always ensure to observe and follow these road signs.

In the traffic and road safety act, 1998, there are a lot of road signs and signals that you must make sure that you familiarize yourself with;

These include; the traffic lights, humps ahead, speed limit signals, line markings, curve ahead, pedestrian crossing, animals crossing, steep descent, one way traffic signs, distance signs, no entry signs, no parking signs and so many more.

Distracted driving, more so phone distracted driving

In Uganda, the traffic and road safety act prohibits drivers from using mobile phones while driving except when using a hands free kit. This can be in form of texting while driving, answering phone calls while driving watching videos while driving and so much more.

According to statistics, the main cause of road accidents in Uganda is human error and one of the causes of human error while driving is text driving, answering phone calls while driving and to combat human error, traffic laws in Uganda prohibit any distracted driving.

Some examples of distracted driving include; eating and driving, grooming and driving, reaching for objects, reading while driving, watching videos while driving, looking at passengers adjusting music or radio.  Always restrain yourself from distractions while driving!!

Traffic laws about seatbelts

The traffic and road safety act of 2004, states the following about seatbelts;

In section 149; mandatory use of seatbelts by drivers and the front seat passengers whenever the car is in motion. Section 150; which states that rear seat passengers must also wear seat belts at all times when the car is in motion. Section 151 states that children under 12 years old must use a child restraint system.

Failure to wear a seatbelt while driving in Uganda can result into fines of approximately $55 failure to pay in the stipulated time can result into surcharges of 50%.

Driving under the influence of alcohol

In Uganda, the traffic and road safety act prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol because it leads to human error while driving and leading to accidents. Make sure you don’t drive drive!!

Third party insurance

Uganda, third party insurance is mandatory for all motor vehicles as per the traffic and road safety act of 2004. Section 102 of the act states that, “no person shall use a motor vehicle on a public road unless there is in force a policy of insurance in respect of the use the vehicle on a public road”

Therefore all motor vehicles should have third party insurance from credible insurance companies in Uganda and the sticker should be sticker should be pinned on the motor vehicle

Vehicle maintenance

The act requires vehicle owners to maintain their vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition. Section 104 of the act goes ahead and states that, “a person shall not use a motor vehicle on a public road unless the vehicle is in a safe and road worthy condition”

Traffic laws can be numerous and complex and vary from country to country always ensure that you read the traffic and road safety act of Uganda to familiarize yourself with the rest of the traffic laws for safety. Remember, road safety is a shared responsibility

Thank you.