By In a major policy shift aimed at improving road safety and reducing traffic-related fatalities, the government has implemented new speed limits—the first significant revision since 2004. The Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, has issued a statutory instrument, the Traffic and Road Safety (Prescription of Speed Limits) Regulations, lowering speed limits for various categories of motor vehicles, particularly those contributing most to road accidents.
Key Changes in Speed Limits
The updated regulations focus primarily on private vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, minivans, and motorcycles, as well as commercial vehicles. Sedans and dual-carriage motor cars on paved rural roads have been reduced from 100 km/h to 90 km/h. Motorcycles, one of the leading contributors to road accidents, now have a new speed limit of 60 km/h on paved rural roads, down from 100 km/h. Motorcycles on gravel roads are limited to 30 km/h, while motor cars on the same roads have had their speed reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h. Public service vehicles, private omnibuses (8-passenger capacity), and light to medium goods vehicles have a speed limit that remains at 80 km/h on paved rural roads and 60 km/h on gravel roads. Urban areas, including trading centers, towns, municipalities, and cities, now have a new speed limit of 30 km/h for all vehicles. For the first time, speed limits have been set for expressways and dual carriageways: private and public service vehicles are limited to 100 km/h, light and medium goods vehicles to 80 km/h, tractors and engineering vehicles to 40 km/h, and heavy goods vehicles (trailers) to 60 km/h on paved rural roads.
Addressing the Rising Road Accidents
The decision to revise speed limits is based on alarming statistics from the 2023 traffic report, which revealed motorcycles were involved in 13,400 accidents, the highest among all vehicle categories. Motor cars followed with 10,400 incidents. A total of 3,300 fatal accidents involved motorcycles and motor cars. Speeding was the primary cause of these accidents, with over 6,300 cases reported.
Ensuring Compliance and Public Safety
Authorities emphasize that drivers must adjust their speed when passing through trading centers, towns, and built-up areas, even on paved highways. In these areas, most vehicles will be limited to 50 km/h. Heavy goods vehicles, tractors, and engineering plants will be further restricted to 40 km/h and 30 km/h, respectively. These new speed limits are a proactive step by the government to curb road fatalities and ensure safer roads for all road users. With stricter enforcement and public awareness, the government hopes to significantly reduce accidents caused by speeding.
