Gen.Katumba , ODI Launche 'Yambala 4 Me' campaign for health, road safety

Ugandans have been urged to prioritize their safety by adhering to all road safety regulations as the country gears up for the festive season.

The Minister for Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala warned road users against flouting traffic guidelines to prevent the loss of lives due to road carnage, wearing helmets for motorcycle riders, fastening seat belts in cars, and donning life jackets when traveling by water.

Gen.Wamala made the remarks on Sunday while launching the ‘Yambala 4 me’ campaign at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) Show grounds Lugogo, Kampala. Yambala is a local word meaning Wear or put it on. Yambala 4 me is a campaign that in-tails 4 areas; Yambala Condom for Me to prevent HIV & AIDs, STIs and UTIs ;Yambala Mask for me to control Covid, Ebola, TB etc ;Yambala Helmet, reflector, Safe boots, Gloves etc (Boda & Industrial) to prevent acute accidents ; and Yambala Seat belt for car safety.

‘’The one dollar initiative be rest assured we are going to work with you because you’re helping us to run the traffic and road safety campaign. Many people die and get injured due to reckless driving .This campaign is timely and we urge motorists and other road users to observe the road safety and traffic guidelines. Let’s put on helmets, safety belts and be disciplined on the roads’’, said Gen.Wamala.

Gen.Wamala further thanked ODI for coming up with this campaign which covers all areas to promote and protect lives , adding that it will improve the wellbeing of human life and avoid exposure to danger.

This campaign, named “Yambala 4 me”, is primarily focused on reducing the daily number of road accidents, particularly those involving ‘boda boda’. Last year alone, 1,450 accidents involving boda bodas were recorded, posing a significant risk to the nation’s safety. Additionally, the use of condoms is encouraged to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and wearing face masks is emphasized to protect against airborne diseases such as COVID-19 and Tuberculosis.

Charles Odenge , the National Coordinator for One Dollar Initiative Uganda who also doubles as the Private Sector representative at the Uganda Aids Commission , and coordinator for Yambala4me , noted that ODI boosts scale up of prevention, treatment and care of HIV&AIDS infected and affected working population to save Uganda’s future workers, suppliers and consumers from HIV&AIDS and wipe it out as a public health burden.

Leveraging on the Corporate Sustainability (CS) approach, ODI envisions contributions of not less than an equivalent of one dollar donations from Corporate Bodies, Business Associations, individuals, NGOs and Foundations.

Through ODI, a private sector partnership mechanism established to identify, mobilize and organize resources; in-kind and financial, aimed at providing meaningful and sustainable contributions to the HIV&AIDS response in Uganda. Under the initiative, ODI aims at making available technology, learning services, supplies and networks through the private sector to spur and leverage resources for existing HIV and AIDS efforts in the country.