Recently, twenty Ugandan professionals took an important step towards safer roads in their country. They earned international certification as road safety Observer Auditors through a training led by the International Road Federation (IRF), with support from the TotalEnergies Foundation and Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport.  

This certification is part of a broader effort to improve road safety infrastructure. Over the next year, the IRF will continue to provide annual training and certification programmes, from Uganda to Tanzania and India to equip local experts with the skills needed to identify risks and improve road designs before collisions occur.  

The most recent training took place in Kampala, Uganda from 2 to 13 June 2025. IRF Lead Trainer Miguel Angel Serrano Santos guided the group through a 60-hour course combining classroom theory and hands-on audits of active road projects.  

Candidates were selected based on their professional background and their ability to improve road safety in Uganda. This ensured that the knowledge gained would be applied effectively in practice. One participant commented, “I am glad to have earned certification from the IRF. Thanks to our trainer, Miguel Angel Serrano Santos, for sharing valuable knowledge and for challenging but necessary lessons.”  

Gonzalo Alcaraz, Acting Director General of the IRF, explained the significance: “Certification equips professionals with practical skills to identify and address road safety risks early on. This initiative strengthens local capacity to protect lives and improve infrastructure, making a tangible difference on the ground.” 

Following Uganda, the training programme will continue in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, in July 2025. Later this year, India will also host training sessions as part of this ongoing initiative.  

Each certified observer auditor becomes part of the International Registry of Road Safety Auditors. This registry sets clear standards for certification and maintains a global list of qualified professionals. The registry helps MDBs (Multilateral Development Banks), governments, and organisations identify trusted auditors who meet international qualifications. It aims to increase transparency and improve the consistency and quality of road safety audits worldwide. Dimitris Mandalozis, President of the IRF, described the registry as a “game-changer” for global road safety. “By establishing clear criteria, we raise audit quality and provide a vital tool for those committed to safer roads.”  

Managed as a digital platform by the IRF, the registry verifies auditors’ credentials before listing them. 

Uganda’s newly certified Observer Auditors are now prepared to participate in road safety audits. Their next step is to take part in at least five audits within 12 months to qualify as full auditing team members, aiming ultimately to become certified road safety auditors.