Driving Impact, Shaping Safer Roads
At Uganda Professional Drivers’ Network (UPDN), our work is rooted in a shared vision of professionalizing Uganda’s drivers, strengthening road safety, and improving driver well-being. Since our founding in 2015, we have continued to build a sustainable and inclusive platform where driver leaders, employers, training institutions, and stakeholders collaborate for lasting change.
What We Do
We work at the intersection of advocacy, training, coordination, health promotion, and policy engagement. Our goal is to ensure that all practicing drivers in Uganda receive professional development opportunities, operate under fair and safe conditions, and contribute to a nationally recognized road safety culture.
Key Areas of Work
1. Professional Driver Development
We deliver Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training sessions designed to enhance driver skills, knowledge, and safety practices. Our trainings are certified and align with the proposed National Drivers’ Qualification Framework.
2. Institutional Capacity Building
Through tailored programs, we equip drivers’ associations, driving schools, and transport companies with the tools to improve governance, training quality, and operational safety. This includes strategy building, standards enforcement, and management coaching.
3. Policy Advocacy & Road Safety Campaigns
UPDN champions enabling laws and policies for driver welfare and safety. We organize annual events, engage media, and hold stakeholder meetings focused on shaping Uganda’s transport policies—with special attention to youth and women in transport.
4. Health and Livelihood Programs
We coordinate driver health outreach, including HIV/AIDS awareness, mental health support, and wellness initiatives. These programs are designed to improve both personal well-being and overall road safety outcomes.
5. Crash Investigation and Awareness
We carry out road crash investigations to learn from incidents and inform prevention strategies. Our community-based road safety awareness campaigns engage the public and grassroots organizations to promote shared responsibility on the road.
6. Stakeholder Networking and Partnerships
UPDN serves as a unifying platform, enabling collaboration across sectors. We foster meaningful partnerships through signed MOUs, co-hosted events, and coordinated national programs for a safer transport ecosystem.
7. Research and Knowledge Sharing
We regularly produce and disseminate literature, data, and research findings on driver development, transport sector trends, and road safety best practices to inform stakeholders and the public.
Making a Difference
Through our collective efforts, UPDN aims to improve professional skills for 10,000 drivers, empower over 100 driver organizations, and ensure that our sector is equipped for a safer and more professional future by 2028.