A Low-Cost RF-Based Accident Detection, Prevention, and Alerting System for Uganda’s Aging Minibus Taxis
Ndejje University Journal Of Interdisciplinary Studies,
Volume 2, Conference Papers
eISSN: 3079-7683
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64080/ndujis.2026.Cof.Pro.Oct001
1.Kayima William Hakim, Faculty of Engineering and Survey, Ndejje University, warrenswilliam@gmail.com,
ORCID: 0009-0006-4599-0441
2.David Makumbi, Faculty of Engineering and Survey, Ndejje University, makumbidavid92@gmail.com,
ORCID: 0009-0002-0129-6096
3.Shaban Ronald Onencan, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology,
shabanronald9@gmail.com,
ORCID: 0009-0006-2000-7893
Abstract
Uganda’s minibus taxis, locally known as “drones,” remain the backbone of public transport, yet a large share of the fleet still consists of 2011-model vehicles never fitted with crash-detection or emergencyalerting technology, and Uganda records one of the highest road-traffic fatality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa, with delayed emergency response a major driver of resulting fatalities. This study designed, built, and experimentally evaluated a low-cost Accident Detection, Prevention, and Alerting System tailored to these older vehicles. An Arduino Uno (ATmega328P) microcontroller integrates an MPU6050 accelerometer/gyroscope for impact detection, an MQ-2 sensor for driver alcohol screening, a Hall-effect sensor for speed monitoring, a seatbelt switch, and a 433 MHz RF transceiver pair for wireless alerting to a receiver unit. The prototype was benchmarked through controlled drop tests, calibrated gas exposure, and speed-sensor trials on a simulated 2011-minibus rig. The system achieved 92% accident-detection accuracy above a 3g threshold, 90% alcohol-detection reliability above 300 ppm, speed-monitoring accuracy within ±5 km/h, 98% RF alert-delivery success over 100 m, and a 30% reduction in simulated emergency-response time, at a total component cost of approximately UGX 115,000. The findings confirm RF-based retrofitting as a technically feasible, low-cost route to improving safety in Uganda’s aging commercial-vehicle fleet. Fleet-wide field trials, GPS integration, and solar-powered supply are recommended as next steps toward deployment.Uganda’s minibus taxis, locally known as “drones,” remain the backbone of public transport, yet a large share of the fleet still consists of 2011-model vehicles never fitted with crash-detection or emergencyalerting technology, and Uganda records one of the highest road-traffic fatality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa, with delayed emergency response a major driver of resulting fatalities. This study designed, built, and experimentally evaluated a low-cost Accident Detection, Prevention, and Alerting System tailored to these older vehicles. An Arduino Uno (ATmega328P) microcontroller integrates an MPU6050 accelerometer/gyroscope for impact detection, an MQ-2 sensor for driver alcohol screening, a Hall-effect sensor for speed monitoring, a seatbelt switch, and a 433 MHz RF transceiver pair for wireless alerting to a receiver unit. The prototype was benchmarked through controlled drop tests, calibrated gas exposure, and speed-sensor trials on a simulated 2011-minibus rig. The system achieved 92% accident-detection accuracy above a 3g threshold, 90% alcohol-detection reliability above 300 ppm, speed-monitoring accuracy within ±5 km/h, 98% RF alert-delivery success over 100 m, and a 30% reduction in simulated emergency-response time, at a total component cost of approximately UGX 115,000. The findings confirm RF-based retrofitting as a technically feasible, low-cost route to improving safety in Uganda’s aging commercial-vehicle fleet. Fleet-wide field trials, GPS integration, and solar-powered supply are recommended as next steps toward deployment.


























