GOOD CAUSE: Centenary Bank’s Rotary Club of Mapeera Uses City, aka Constitutional Square to Launch the Road Safety Campaign in a Bid to Protect Ugandan Road Users

Centenary Bank’s Rotary Club of Mapeera has launched a road safety campaign aimed at promoting safer road use and reducing injuries and loss of life resulting from road crashes. The campaign, launched at Constitutional Square in Kampala, saw motorcycle riders receive safety helmets and reflector jackets alongside sensitisation on responsible road use, traffic laws and safe riding practices.

The initiative comes amid concerns over the number of road crashes and injuries involving motorists and other road users in Uganda. According to the 2025 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report, the country recorded 26,044 road traffic crashes in 2025, up from 25,107 in 2024. The crashes resulted in 5,383 deaths, compared to 5,144 deaths recorded in 2024. That means an average of at least 15 people died daily from road accidents.

Through this campaign, the Rotary Club of Mapeera seeks to equip road users with practical knowledge and safety gear while encouraging greater responsibility on the roads. Speaking at the launch, Centenary Bank Executive Director Business, Michael Opira, said the initiative was born out of the need to respond to the loss of lives and injuries caused by road crashes.

“We found that there are many injuries and loss of lives happening due to road accidents and as a club, we decided to take up a road safety initiative. We believe this is an area where we need to support our communities,” Opira said. He added that Centenary Bank’s support for the initiative reflects its broader commitment to serving communities and addressing issues that affect people’s lives and livelihoods.

“As a bank, we decided to partner with Rotary because we share the same vision of serving the underserved. We first want to create awareness because when people are aware, they become interested and are able to learn more,” he said. The President of the Rotary Club of Mapeera, Maria Ochaloi said the campaign is ultimately about encouraging people to value and protect their lives.

“Protect your lives because life is wealth. You may not lose your life in an accident, but you can suffer a permanent injury that can change your life. Love your lives, protect them and let us make our roads safe for everyone to use,” she said.

The road safety campaign is a signature initiative of Rotary District 9213. District Governor, Dr. Gerald Obai, commended the Rotary Club of Mapeera for taking the message beyond its immediate membership and into the wider community.

He also recognised the club’s other community initiatives, including blood donation drives, extending safe clean water to communities, and the construction of a perimeter wall at a school for deaf learners that the club has pioneered in the past. The day also began with a blood donation drive that was hosted by the Club at the Constitutional Square that lasted until 5:00pm.

Over the years, Centenary Bank has collaborated with Rotary Uganda to make meaningful change in the communities they serve through initiatives such as medical camps, financial literacy programs, environmental programs, and the annual Rotary Cancer Run, where it has contributed over UGX 3 billion to support cancer treatment and prevention in Uganda.

In 2025, the bank extended this partnership further and fully embraced the Rotary International community when it officially launched its own club, the Rotary Club of Mapeera as a platform to formalize and grow staff’s commitment to social responsibility.