22/10/2025
THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS
Privy sitting, Kampala
REF: NC/REQ/01/10/2025
DATE:23rd October 2025
TO: THE HONOURABLE MINISTER
MINISTRY OF GENDER, LABOUR AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Republic of Uganda
Kampala
COPIES:
· The Right Honourable Prime Minister
· The Honourable Minister of Works and Transport
· The Inspector General of Police, Uganda Police Force
SUBJECT: URGENT REQUEST FOR A NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING AND COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS OF OCTOBER 2025 ROAD ACCIDENTS
Your Excellency,
The Council of Elders, representing the voice and conscience of communities across Uganda, hereby submits this urgent petition to the Government of the Republic of Uganda.
The month of October 2025 has been marked by an unprecedented and heartbreaking series of tragic motor accidents that have claimed an alarming number of lives. Our nation has been plunged into a state of collective grief and trauma as we witness, with growing alarm, the devastating loss of our sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers on our roads. The scale of these tragedies in such a short period is not merely a statistic; it is a national crisis that demands a profound and compassionate response from the highest levels of government.
In light of this profound loss, and in solidarity with the hundreds of bereaved families, we respectfully and urgently request the following:
1. Declaration of a National Day of Mourning: We beseech His Excellency the President and the Government of Uganda to declare a National Day of Mourning to honour the memory of all those who have lost their lives in road accidents during this tragic month of October 2025. This day would allow the nation to collectively grieve, reflect on the sanctity of life, and unite in a call for safer roads. We propose that flags be flown at half-mast and a moment of silence be observed nationwide.
2. Compensation for the Bereaved Families: We urgently appeal for the Government to establish and disburse a special compensation fund to provide imm
