Joseph Beyanga, also known as Joe Walker, completed an extraordinary road safety walk from Kampala to Fort Portal, covering over 300 kilometers. Accompanied by his wife, Carol Byeyanga, and a group of Uganda Pentecostal University students, they embarked on this journey on February 26.
Upon their arrival in Fort Portal City, they were greeted with enthusiasm by a cheering crowd. Security personnel escorted them for about three kilometers before reaching the city. At the Tooro Kingdom Palace in Karuziika, they were welcomed by officials from the kingdom, led by Deputy Prime Minister Harriet Nyakake, and Fort Portal City leaders, including Speaker Albert Ahebwa.
During the walk, Beyanga aimed to raise awareness about road safety issues, observing various challenges such as reckless driving, speeding, and abandoned vehicles involved in accidents. He emphasized the need to address these issues and end intimidation against law enforcement officers, allowing them to enforce road safety regulations effectively.
Beyanga stressed the importance of community support for law enforcement officers and urged all road users to prioritize safety. He called upon leaders, including heads of cultural institutions, to advocate for road safety and emphasized the vulnerability of young people to road accidents.
In Kyegegwa District, an incident occurred while they were painting a zebra crossing, highlighting the dangers faced by road workers. Partnerships with organizations like Stanbic Bank aim to prevent further loss of lives due to road accidents.
James Ruhweza, the Rwenzori West region police commander, reported a significant number of fatalities in the region in 2023 and commended Beyanga’s efforts to raise awareness about road safety.
Nyakake praised Beyanga for his initiative in raising awareness about road safety and pledged continued support from the cultural institution in promoting road safety awareness among the public.
