Works & Transport Minister Katumba awards professional drivers for championing road safety.

From 3rd to 4th December 2025, drivers under their umbrella organization known as The Uganda Professional Drivers Network (UPDN) together with partners and take holders convene the annual drivers conference aimed at equipping member drivers with skills including road safety, first aid, training, driver wellness among other issues. 

The conference held at Imperial Royale hotel in Kampala was crowned with the 4th Annual Professional Drivers’ Conference and Road Transport Stakeholders’ Awards 2025, top drivers who excelled in exercising professionalism while e driving presided by the Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala.

While commending the participants for dedicating two days to discussing road safety, Minister Katumba expressed gratitude for the activities of UPDN in advancing road safety, and minimizing road crushes.

He said that collaboration with government agencies, the private sector, and NGOs will help enhance road safety campaigns while providing stronger mental health support.

He pledged to champion the implementation of declaration made by UPDN members to enable the ministry to look into the issues raised.

“Making the road safer is important i applaud the members of UPDN for the declaration. I will forward it to the road safety team to address key iasuea outlined their” he said.

The Minister called upon drivers to emphasize ethics while on the road so that they are employable adding that TVET program will develop the profession.

The Executive Director UPDN Mr. John Byabagambi said that the member based Organisation has since it’s inception in 2022 has been addressing issue in hiw to improve the transport system and the welfare of drivers.

He said that to address drivers issues in any organization there is need to involve their leadership to effect the decisions on drivers.

During the Panel discussion 

The Chairman of UPDN Board Mr Kasule Apollo said in order to minimize the scourge of road crushes, a converted effort need to be utilized while improving the road network to achieve social and economic growth.

He said that there is a need to address the gaps to include the transport of children while coming from school.

Maj. Alfred Odam , a Fleet Supervisor and President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Uganda Chapter, underscored the critical role of driver wellness and a supportive work environment.

He stressed the need to manage fatigue and stress, encourage proper nutrition, and safeguard mental health emphasizing that a driver’s mindset directly impacts their judgement, risk awareness, and compliance with traffic regulations.

Among the award winners include Best Driver Award to Sylvia Wakise, a driver of a Sinotruk truck with National Medical Stores,

The conference is held under the theme: “Enhancing Driving Professionalism through Innovation and Networking in Road Transport.”

 Dr. Maureen Kwikiriza highlight there is a need to enhance investment in continuous training and career development of drivers to improve driver skills, boost job satisfaction, and promote long-term retentions.

Among the members that participated in h conference included Centenary Bank and CFAO by Toyota as a partners, MarkH Investments, Q-Sourcing SWICO, National Medical Stores, Uganda Red Cross, Graben Logistics, Uganda Revenue Authority, Kampala Capital City Authority among others.

Works & Transport Minister Katumba awards professional drivers for championing road safety. 

From 3rd to 4th December 2025, drivers under their umbrella organization known as The Uganda Professional Drivers Network (UPDN) together with partners and take holders convene the annual drivers conference aimed at equipping member drivers with skills including road safety, first aid, training, driver wellness among other issues.

The conference held at Imperial Royale hotel in Kampala was crowned with the 4th Annual Professional Drivers’ Conference and Road Transport Stakeholders’ Awards 2025, top drivers who excelled in exercising professionalism while e driving presided by the Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala.

While commending the participants for dedicating two days to discussing road safety, Minister Katumba expressed gratitude for the activities of UPDN in advancing road safety, and minimizing road crushes.

He said that collaboration with government agencies, the private sector, and NGOs will help enhance road safety campaigns while providing stronger mental health support.

He pledged to champion the implementation of declaration made by UPDN members to enable the ministry to look into the issues raised.

“Making the road safer is important i applaud the members of UPDN for the declaration. I will forward it to the road safety team to address key iasuea outlined their” he said.

The Minister called upon drivers to emphasize ethics while on the road so that they are employable adding that TVET program will develop the profession. 

The Executive Director UPDN Mr. John Byabagambi said that the member based Organisation has since it’s inception in 2022 has been addressing issue in hiw to improve the transport system and the welfare of drivers.

He said that to address drivers issues in any organization there is need to involve their leadership to effect the decisions on drivers.

The Chairman of UPDN Board Mr Kasule Apollo said in order to minimize the scourge of road crushes, a converted effort need to be utilized while improving the road network to achieve social and economic growth. 

He said that there is a need to address the gaps to include the transport of children while coming from school. 

Maj. Alfred Odam , a Fleet Supervisor and President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Uganda Chapter, underscored the critical role of driver wellness and a supportive work environment. 

He stressed the need to manage fatigue and stress, encourage proper nutrition, and safeguard mental health emphasizing that a driver’s mindset directly impacts their judgement, risk awareness, and compliance with traffic regulations.

Among the award winners include Best Driver Award to Sylvia Wakise, a driver of a Sinotruk truck with National Medical Stores, 

The conference is held under the theme: “Enhancing Driving Professionalism through Innovation and Networking in Road Transport.”

 Dr. Maureen Kwikiriza highlight there is a need to enhance investment in continuous training and career development of drivers to improve driver skills, boost job satisfaction, and promote long-term retentions. 

Among the members that participated in h conference included Centenary Bank and CFAO by Toyota as a partners, MarkH Investments, Q-Sourcing SWICO, National Medical Stores, Uganda Red Cross, Graben Logistics, Uganda Revenue Authority, Kampala Capital City Authority among others.