Vivo Energy, the company that distributes and markets Shell branded fuels and lubricants in 16 African countries, has held a Road Safety competition involving 12 primary schools in Kampala.
The competition is a culmination of the training that has been successfully conducted among the 12 competing schools and is part of Vivo Energy’s Road Safety Education Programme that was launched in March this year as part of the Company’s Corporate Social Investment Programme.
The programme is aimed at increasing road safety awareness and commitment among school children and to help change their attitude and behaviour on the road, thereby inculcating a road safety culture among Uganda’s future generation.
Through this programme, 1200 Road Safety Ambassadors in 12 selected primary schools in Kampala were trained on measures and practices to keep children safe on the road.The schools that participated in the competition are; Green Hill Academy, Kiswa Primary School, Makerere University Primary School, Sunrise Primary School, Light House Primary School, St. Benedict Primary School, Kibuye Primary School, Kitante Primary School, Bat Valley Primary School, Kireka Church of Uganda Primary School, Busega Preparatory School and Yudesi Primary School.
The trained Road Safety ambassadors participated in a competition in which they sought to communicate the themes of the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011 – 2020)through Music, Poetry and Drama. The schools creatively developed the messages to communicate; casualty management at accident scenes, corruption on the road, over speeding, substance abuse, use of protective gear on the road, and dangerous mechanical conditions of vehicles.
Speaking during the competition at the UMA Conference Hall, Hans Paulsen, Managing Director – Vivo Energy Uganda,encouraged the children to carry their responsibility as ambassadors and transmit the message of road safety to their peers and communities. “We believe that these children will be great influencers to their parents, teachers and fellow children and will continue to spread the message of road safety in their communities, therefore promoting safe behavior on our roads.” He said.
The competition was won by Besega preparatory School after gathering 92 points, followed by Sun rise who managed 89 points. The winning school received a trophy, a bull and scholastic materials.
The head of traffic, Kampala metropolitan Lawrence Niwabiine who officiated as guest of honour at the event commended Vivo Energy for helping police to sensitise the public on road safety.
He said that last year, accidents in Uganda reduced by 10% and Uganda was the only country that registered a reduction in East Africa.