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Transforming lives through safe, available, and sustainable transport


Transaid has recently launched a major programme to improve the standard of driving in Uganda


“Our ability to make a significant impact on the ground is huge – from the moment the first driver has been trained, we will be saving lives and improving livelihoods.” Transaid recently announced that it has commenced a major project to build the capacity of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and passenger service vehicle (PSV) driver training in Uganda. Transaid’s involvement was secured as a


result of its proven ability to raise the driving standards of thousands of commercial vehicle drivers in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia – life- saving work that it began in 2008, thanks to the support of the UK transport and logistics industry.


Initial programme Transaid was also involved in an initial 12-month project in Uganda, which began in 2014 and highlighted the need to continue to build driver training capacity in the country. Now set to become one of Transaid’s largest initiatives in Africa, the Professional Driver Training – Uganda (PDTU) project has been secured in partnership with the German


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development cooperation’s GIZ E4D/SOGA – Employment and Skills for Eastern Africa, local non-governmental organisation – Safe Way Right Way, the Ugandan government and the local private sector.


It is the first time that Transaid’s road safety work has received external funding on this scale, with previous projects relying heavily on the support of its UK corporate members, which send staff on secondment to Africa to share best practice, skills and knowledge with local teams, helping to introduce new skills in-country, as well as providing much-needed funding and equipment. The project’s primary role is to ensure


Ugandan drivers are in a position to meet the needs of the oil, gas and related sectors in the face of rising demand for qualified commercial drivers. In a country that suffers from one of Africa’s highest road traffic incident rates, claiming approximately 2,937* lives each year, this project will also contribute to improving road safety by enhancing driver training capacity. Training will take place at three existing schools and a new facility in the Mukono district, with students set to benefit from extensive


practical experience. The training will follow the East African Community (EAC) Standardised Curriculum for Drivers of Large Commercial Vehicles – developed by Transaid as a means of harmonising road safety standards across the region.


Driving jobs “We expect to see more than 1,000 new driving jobs created in Uganda over the next few years. However, many professional drivers currently lack the necessary skills to fill these positions safely,” said Neil Rettie, Transaid’s road safety project manager. “The PDTU project will therefore be vital for


increasing education and awareness around road safety, and driving forward the current standards of training available. Our ability to make a significant impact on the ground is huge – from the moment the first driver has been trained, we will be saving lives and improving livelihoods,” he continued. Funding for the PDTU project is being made available jointly by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ) and the UK Department for International Development (NORAD).


*WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015


September 2017


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