#YambalaHelmetYo: SafeBoda’s Bold Campaign to Champion Helmet Safety in Uganda

As SafeBoda marks its 10th anniversary, the company is celebrating not just a decade of innovation and growth, but also its unwavering commitment to safety.

Central to this milestone is the launch of the #YambalaHelmetYo Safety Campaign, a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting helmet use among boda boda riders and passengers—a timely response to Uganda’s escalating motorcycle-related road fatalities.

According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2024, motorcyclists and their passengers accounted for nearly 47% of all road crash deaths, with 1,720 motorcyclist fatalities and 676 passenger deaths recorded in 2024 alone. This marks a 13.2% increase in rider deaths and a 10.1% rise in passenger fatalities compared to 2023.

These sobering statistics underscore the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures, particularly the consistent use of helmets, which are proven to reduce the risk of death by 40% and serious injury by 70% in motorcycle crashes. 

The #YambalaHelmetYo campaign is more than a contest; it's a call to action to instill a culture of safety. Here's how it works:

• Participation: SafeBoda riders and passengers wear their SafeBoda helmets during trips.
  
  
• Engagement: They capture a selfie or short video showcasing their helmet use.
  
  
• Sharing: Participants post their content on social media, tagging @SafeBoda and using the hashtags #YambalaHelmetYo and #SafeBodaAt10.
  
  
• Rewards: Daily winners receive UGX 350,000 Each (customer and Driver), and there's a grand prize of UGX 5 million for the most impactful entry.

This initiative not only incentivizes helmet use but also leverages social media to spread awareness and normalize safety practices among the broader community.

Since its inception, SafeBoda has placed safety at the forefront of its operations. The company provides riders with certified helmets and reflective jackets, conducts regular safety training, and enforces strict adherence to traffic regulations.

The #YambalaHelmetYo campaign is a natural extension of these efforts, reinforcing the message that safety is a shared responsibility. By engaging both riders and passengers, SafeBoda aims to foster a community-wide commitment to road safety.

As Uganda continues to grapple with high rates of motorcycle-related accidents, initiatives like #YambalaHelmetYo are crucial. SafeBoda urges all stakeholders—riders, passengers, policymakers, and the general public—to prioritize safety by:

• Consistently wearing helmets during every ride.
  
  
• Adhering to traffic laws and promoting responsible riding/driving behaviors.
  
  
• Supporting campaigns that advocate for road safety and accident prevention.

By collectively embracing these practices, we can work towards a future where every journey is safe, and every road user returns home unharmed.

Join the movement. Wear your helmet. Share your story. Save lives. #YambalaHelmetYo #SafeBodaAt10

‍