UFEZ Calls for Road Accidents to Be Declared a National Pandemic. By Vanguard reporter

The United Federation of Employers in Zambia (UFEZ) has called on Government to declare road traffic accidents a national pandemic, citing the alarming number of fatalities recorded during the recent festive season.
Speaking during a Driver Safety Workshop held at Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka on Wednesday, UFEZ President urged urgent multi-sectoral intervention to address the growing crisis on Zambia’s roads
The event was attended by Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, senior government officials, trade union leaders and representatives from civil society.
The UFEZ President said Zambia must treat road accidents with the same urgency as a public health emergency, calling for coordinated action involving the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Ministry of Home Affairs, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), employers and trade unions. He appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to spearhead a national emergency response plan.
According to official police statistics presented at the workshop, 224 road traffic accidents were recorded on December 26, 2025 alone, of which 23 were fatal, claiming 28 lives. During the New Year period, 136 accidents were recorded countrywide, including 14 fatal crashes that resulted in 16 deaths. The UFEZ President described the figures as a “pandemic on our roads,” noting that beyond the loss of life, accidents disrupt supply chains, increase insurance costs and undermine productivity.
The employers’ body also raised concern over congestion and safety risks along Freedom Way in Lusaka’s Central Business District, where buses frequently park on the highway to load passengers. UFEZ called on the Ministries of Transport and Local Government to urgently address the situation, warning that the practice poses serious danger to pedestrians and motorists and hampers business operations and emergency services.
Meanwhile, Minister Tambatamba emphasised the importance of social protection for drivers, stating that no worker should dedicate their life to service only to retire into poverty. She urged employers to ensure that drivers are registered and that statutory contributions are remitted to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA), the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board and the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA).
The workshop brought together employers, trade unions, regulators and drivers to promote safer road practices, professionalise the transport sector and strengthen social dialogue. UFEZ said the meeting should mark a turning point in building a culture of responsibility, professionalism and partnership in Zambia’s transport industry.