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Today it may be sunny, then cloudy and boom, the rain. If you’ve ever been caught driving from Kampala to Masaka during a downpour, you know rain in Uganda isn’t polite. It doesn’t knock before entering. It attacks hastily and with thunder that shakes your steering wheel, wind that slaps your mirrors, and fog that makes even a boda’s headlight look like a ghost story. Suddenly, the tarmac you thought you knew turns into a mirror of danger, slippery, blurry, and full of surprises. Yet, every driver, whether you’re cruising in a sleek Mark X, a trusted Premio, or your beloved Toyota Noah, will one day face heavy rain or thick fog. The question is: will you survive it smartly or add to Uganda’s already dramatic traffic headlines? Personally, I hate driving in a heavy downpour. Let’s be real: driving safely in heavy rain or fog isn’t about luck; it’s about discipline, focus, judgment, and preparation. Below are life-saving tips every Ugandan driver should know before hitting the road during a heavy downpour.
Slow Down.
Whenever I am in Kampala, and it’s about to rain in the next few days, I hear a lot of hooting, people rushing and drivers in panic. Many Ugandan drivers treat rain like a challenge, as if the wetter it gets, the faster they must drive to “beat the storm.” But here’s the truth: the faster you go, the easier you’ll glide straight into a pedestrian, someone’s rear bumper or the nearest ditch. When rain starts pounding, reduce your speed immediately. Wet roads minimise tyre grip by nearly half. That’s why those who insist on “balancing speed” on the Entebbe Expressway often end up balancing repair bills. If you can’t see clearly, your reaction time shrinks, so your speed should too. Simple math. Thank me later.
Keep Headlights On; Not Full Beam.
You’ve seen those drivers who switch on full beams in the rain, thinking they’ll cut through fog like Moses parting the Red Sea. Wrong move! High beams actually reflect off fog or heavy rain, bouncing the light back into your eyes and blinding everyone else. Instead, use low-beam headlights or fog lights if your car has them. That way, you’re visible to others without creating your own disco of confusion. Also, if you drive an older car without automatic lights, switch them on manually early enough. Don’t wait until you can barely see the bonnet. Remember, visibility isn’t just for you alone; it’s for that taxi or boda behind you trying to guess your next move. Now, how about driving on a dusty road? When driving on a very dusty road in Uganda, such as the murram stretches of Soroti, Gulu, or Mityana during the dry season, drivers should use low-beam headlights or fog lights rather than high beams. Dust particles, much like fog droplets, reflect and scatter bright light back toward the driver’s eyes, creating a blinding glare that reduces visibility even more. Just as in foggy conditions, full beams don’t “cut through” the haze; instead, they bounce off the suspended particles, turning your view into a glowing wall of dust. The goal in both dusty and foggy weather is to be visible to other road users without dazzling them, which means using low-beam headlights and driving hazard-free. The only difference is that in dusty conditions, you might also use your rear fog light or gently flashing indicators to help vehicles behind spot you through the swirling brown clouds.
Increase Your Following Distance.
Ugandan roads are unpredictable even on sunny days: potholes, herds of cows, pedestrians with umbrellas, and drivers who think indicators are decorations. In the rain or fog, that unpredictability triples. You must give the car ahead at least 4 seconds of space, instead of the usual 2. This allows enough braking distance if the vehicle ahead suddenly stops. If you tailgate during a storm, just one panic brake could send you sliding into trouble. You don’t want to explain to the police how you kissed someone’s bumper “accidentally due to the weather.” A friend of mine here says, “Man uses the brain to think and not the buttocks.”
Avoid Sudden Braking and Sharp turns on slippery roads; sudden moves are your enemy.
Heavy rain mixes with dust and oil, turning tarmac into a skating rink. Instead of slamming the brakes, press gently and progressively. If you must turn, do it slowly and smoothly, no drama. If your car starts skidding, don’t panic and over-steer; instead, steer gently in the direction of the skid until you regain control. Then ease off the accelerator. You’re not fighting the car; you’re guiding it back to sanity.
Don’t Drive Through Deep Water Unless You Know Its Depth.
We’ve all seen it: drivers who assume their car is a submarine. Sometimes, oba, it’s Malala (showing off)? A flooded section appears near Bwaise or Kireka, and someone decides to “try their luck.” Two minutes later, their bonnet becomes a swimming pool, and boda riders are helping push their car to safety while the driver pretends to make phone calls. Before entering any waterlogged stretch, stop and assess. If you can’t see the markings or the edge of the road, don’t attempt it. Even shallow-looking puddles can hide deep potholes that will swallow your bumper or kill your engine. Remember, repairing an engine costs more than waiting for the flood to subside.
Use Wipers and Defoggers Properly.
Ugandan weather loves to mix things up: one minute, rain; the next, fog. When this happens, visibility drops fast. Make sure your wipers are functional and your windshield washer has water (not just “air of hope”). Replace old wipers that screech or leave streaks. Many boys are at every road selling new wipers. If your windows fog up inside, turn on your AC or defogger. If your car doesn’t have one, slightly open your windows to allow air circulation. Nothing is more stressful than trying to wipe your windshield with your handkerchief while overtaking a taxi.
Stay Alert and Avoid Distractions.
Now, you find that a driver fears driving in the rain but still accepts being distracted —why? During heavy rain or fog, concentration is your lifeline. This is not the time to answer your phone, check WhatsApp, or argue about football. Some people go ahead and make conversation as they demonstrate with big gestures —WRONG! Every second counts, and your focus should be 100% on the road. Keep both hands on the steering wheel and your mind on the conditions ahead. Avoid using hazard lights while driving. It confuses other drivers. Hazards should only be used if you’ve stopped entirely.
If it’s Too Bad, Park Safely and wait.
Sometimes, nature wins. If visibility drops to almost zero, the best driver is the one who knows when to stop. Find a safe spot, say a petrol station, roadside shoulder, or a parking area and wait it out. Switch on your hazard lights to alert others, but don’t park in the middle of the road or under big trees (lightning is not friendly). Some years back in Uganda, around Makere main gate, a driver lost their life because of parking under a tree during a downpour. The tree fell off a car as it lost its tap root. Parking under big trees when it’s raining may seem like a clever way to avoid the downpour, but it’s actually one of the most dangerous choices a driver can make. During storms, trees become unpredictable, heavy winds can snap branches or uproot entire trunks, crushing cars and injuring anyone inside. Lightning also targets tall trees, and if it strikes, the electrical current can travel through the tree and into your vehicle, causing severe damage or electrocution.
Check Your Tires and Brakes Regularly.
Driving safely in bad weather starts long before the storm. Keep your tires in good condition I mean, enough tread, correct pressure, no cracks. Worn tyres are death traps on wet roads. Also, make sure your brakes are firm and responsive. The same applies to your car battery and lights. Preparation is invisible until it saves your life.
Respect Pedestrians and Cyclists.
In Uganda, many pedestrians walk on the road edges, especially in rural areas. When it rains, they rush for the tiny dry space under trees or building verandas, sometimes stepping dangerously close to the road. Reduce your speed when passing through trading centres. Splashing water on people isn’t funny; it’s rude and unsafe. Fog also hides cyclists, so drive with empathy and anticipation.
There is another dangerous act I can’t help but talk about: driving a heavily loaded vehicle during the rainy season. This act presents a unique set of risks that every driver must recognise and respect. When your vehicle is loaded with passengers, cargo or both, the extra weight influences how it handles on slippery roads; braking distances increase, cornering becomes less stable, and the risk of hydroplaning goes up, especially on tarmac surfaces already slick from rain runoff or oil residues. In addition, uneven weight distribution can make the vehicle prone to swaying or shifting if you steer suddenly or hit a hidden pothole filled with water, a common hazard on many roads in Kampala and beyond. On top of that, because heavy vehicles have longer stopping distances by default, combining that with water-slick roads can make a usually safe speed dangerously fast under wet conditions. Drivers should therefore reduce their speed significantly, maintain extra following distance, ensure the load is properly tied down and balanced, keep tyres in good condition and with good tread, ensure brakes are well maintained, and stay alert for unexpected water pooling or debris that may have washed onto the road. The rainy season isn’t simply an inconvenience. It’s a time when diligence, patience and caution make the difference between arriving safely or becoming another rainy-season statistic on Uganda’s roads. Heavy rain and fog are part of Uganda’s beauty but also part of its danger.
Safe driving in such conditions isn’t about fear; it’s about respect for nature, for your car, and for human life. Every time you hold that steering wheel, you’re not just driving; you’re making a promise to yourself and others to return home alive. So when the clouds gather and the wind starts whispering, remember: it’s not bravery to drive fast. No, it’s wisdom to drive smart.
Next time the heavens open up on your way to Mbarara or Jinja, or to any destination, don’t panic. Grip the wheel, switch on your low beams, breathe, and remember those golden words. I will leave you this: “The road belongs to the careful, not the careless.”
