By Karim Were
KAMPALA — Uganda has intensified enforcement against unsafe public-service vehicles, with the Ministry of Works and Transport and Traffic Police stepping up inspections of buses, tightening rules on driver working hours and targeting operators who breach licensing and road-safety requirements.
The renewed enforcement comes as authorities respond to a series of serious road crashes involving buses, taxis, trucks and other vehicles and seek to improve passenger safety on the country’s transport network.
In one of the latest operations, the Ministry of Works and Transport and Traffic Police intercepted more than 20 passenger buses during an early-morning inspection at the Namayiba and Kisenyi bus terminals in Kampala on September 16, 2026.
Some of the buses were found operating with invalid Public Service Vehicle licences, while others were being driven by unaccredited drivers. Authorities also subjected drivers to alcohol and drug tests, with those who returned excessive alcohol readings arrested and handed over to police.
The operation formed part of a wider government campaign aimed at enforcing existing transport regulations and reducing preventable crashes.
Justin Opus, the Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Police deputy commandant, warned public-service vehicle drivers against operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“This is a warning to all PSV drivers that punitive action will be taken against those driving passengers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as this risks the lives of innocent passengers and other road users,” Opus said.
Government targets driver fatigue
The latest enforcement campaign follows new measures announced by the Ministry of Works and Transport in August to address driver fatigue, one of the safety concerns associated with long-distance passenger transport.
Under the new directive, drivers operating buses on routes longer than 300 kilometres must be replaced before the return journey.
A driver who completes the outward journey is not permitted to drive the same bus back on the return leg.
For routes shorter than 300 kilometres, a driver may travel to the destination and return once, but must stop working for the day after returning to the starting point.
Traffic Police have been directed to take action against operators and drivers who fail to comply with the requirements. (Uganda Broadcasting Corporation)
The ministry has said the measures are intended to reduce fatigue and improve passenger safety.
Driver fatigue is a particular concern in long-distance passenger transport because extended periods behind the wheel can affect concentration and reaction times.
The new requirements therefore place greater responsibility on bus operators to organise schedules and provide replacement drivers where journeys exceed the prescribed distance.
Route-chart enforcement
Authorities have also intensified enforcement of route charts, which regulate the routes and schedules followed by public buses.
In August, Traffic Police reported that 51 buses had been impounded during a nationwide enforcement operation.
Of the vehicles checked, 41 were reportedly operating outside their designated routes, while 10 had other regulatory deficiencies.
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The violations included drivers operating without licences or required badges and missing driver photographs in official records.
Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura said route charts are intended to serve as a safety mechanism rather than an obstacle to transport operators.
“Route charts are not intended to cause difficulties for passengers or transport operators,” Kananura said, explaining that they help regulate return schedules, reduce unnecessary trips and manage driver fatigue.
The enforcement reflects an effort by authorities to ensure that passenger transport operators follow approved routes and schedules rather than making additional journeys that could increase pressure on drivers.
Dangerous vehicles remain a concern
The government campaign extends beyond driver behaviour to the mechanical condition of vehicles.
A separate 100-day enforcement operation launched in August has targeted vehicles classified as being in dangerous mechanical condition, commonly referred to as DMC vehicles.
The operation covers the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area and is intended to identify and remove unroadworthy taxis and other passenger vehicles from the roads.
However, recent reporting has indicated that some vehicles previously targeted by enforcement officers have returned to Kampala roads and taxi parks.
The continued presence of such vehicles highlights the challenge authorities face in maintaining compliance after initial inspections.
Vehicle condition is an important component of road safety because worn tyres, defective braking systems, faulty lights and other mechanical problems can increase the risk of crashes.
The enforcement programme therefore combines inspection with the requirement that vehicle owners repair defects before returning their vehicles to passenger service.
Road crashes continue to raise concern
Uganda’s latest transport enforcement measures come against a backdrop of continuing road crashes across the country.
Police have repeatedly identified risky road-user behaviour, including speeding, reckless overtaking and failure to comply with traffic regulations, among the major contributing factors in crashes recorded during monitoring periods.
In one weekly road-safety update, the Uganda Police Force said motorcycles accounted for 50 per cent of fatalities recorded during the period covered, while pedestrians accounted for 32 per cent.
The figures demonstrate that road-safety challenges affect multiple categories of road users rather than public transport passengers alone.
Motorcyclists, pedestrians, taxi passengers, bus passengers and private motorists all face risks arising from road-user behaviour, vehicle condition and infrastructure.
Recent fatal crashes
Several serious crashes have reinforced the authorities’ focus on enforcement.
On September 8, two people were killed and nine injured after a Sinotruk lost control and collided with three vehicles at Nkoowe along the Kampala-Hoima Highway in Wakiso District.
The vehicles involved included a commuter taxi, a Subaru Forester and a Toyota Wish.
Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura said the truck was carrying stones from Kakiri towards Kampala when it lost control and crashed into the vehicles.
The crash renewed discussion about the safety of heavy trucks operating alongside passenger vehicles on busy highways.
More recently, a separate fatal crash occurred on September 18 along Mutungo-Biina Road in Kampala.
According to the Uganda Police Force, a Toyota Hilux collided with a motorcycle, killing the 22-year-old motorcycle rider and seriously injuring three schoolchildren travelling on the motorcycle.
Police arrested the driver and said preliminary findings pointed to careless driving as a suspected contributing factor, although investigations were still underway to establish the exact circumstances.
Such cases illustrate why authorities have continued to emphasise compliance with speed limits, safe overtaking, vehicle maintenance and responsible driving.
School transport receives additional attention
Road safety has also become a major concern as schools reopen for the third term.
The Uganda Police Force issued specific traffic and security guidelines on September 14, urging motorists to exercise greater caution around schools and pedestrian crossings.
Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura urged drivers to reduce speed, avoid reckless overtaking and distracted driving, and refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances.
Parents and schools were also advised to ensure that children travel in safe, inspected and authorised vehicles.
Police said school vehicles should be roadworthy, properly licensed, operated by qualified drivers and not overloaded.
The guidance follows several serious crashes involving schoolchildren and comes as authorities seek to strengthen regulation of school transport.
The government has also been preparing additional measures, including mandatory colour coding for school buses and vans, according to recent reporting.
The proposal followed recommendations from an inter-ministerial committee reviewing school transportation after a fatal accident in Kapchorwa involving pupils and a teacher.
Government seeks closer engagement with transport operators
Authorities are also attempting to address road safety through greater engagement with drivers and transport associations.
In September, the Ministry of Works and Transport and representatives of driver associations agreed to hold quarterly meetings to discuss challenges affecting the sector.
The discussions are intended to cover road safety, enforcement, working conditions, payment issues and the acquisition of driver badges.
Commissioner for Road Safety Winston Katushabe said regular meetings would enable government to understand the challenges faced by drivers while encouraging them to take greater responsibility for road safety.
“We have agreed that we should be meeting quarterly so that we can continuously engage the drivers, understand their challenges and also address issues that affect road safety,” Katushabe said.
The approach reflects an attempt to combine enforcement with dialogue.
Transport operators frequently face challenges involving operating costs, vehicle maintenance, licensing requirements and working conditions. Authorities therefore face the task of enforcing safety rules while ensuring that operators understand and can comply with them.
Proposed demerit system
The government is also pursuing longer-term regulatory reforms.
Recent reporting indicates that the Ministry of Works and Transport has begun rolling out mandatory inspections for commercial vehicles and is working towards introducing a driver demerit-points system.
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The proposed reforms also include biometric monitoring of public-transport drivers.
Transport Regulation and Safety Commissioner Winston Katushabe said enforcement gaps remained but that several reforms were underway.
A demerit system would potentially allow authorities to track repeated traffic offences by individual drivers and impose escalating penalties.
Such a system would shift part of enforcement from responding to individual violations towards maintaining a longer-term record of driver behaviour.
However, the effectiveness of such reforms will depend on implementation, enforcement capacity, reliable records and coordination between government agencies.
Kampala’s wider road-safety challenge
The transport enforcement campaign is particularly important in Kampala, where large numbers of pedestrians, motorcycles, taxis, buses, trucks and private vehicles share a congested road network.
Kampala Capital City Authority launched the 2025 Kampala Road Safety Report and a midterm review of the Kampala Road Safety Strategy on September 9.
According to KCCA, 407 people died in road crashes in Kampala during 2025, compared with 404 deaths in 2024.
The authority also reported 2,993 serious injuries during 2025.
The figures provide a measure of the scale of the road-safety problem in the capital.
They also show why enforcement alone may not be sufficient.
Traffic regulation must operate alongside road engineering, pedestrian facilities, public transport planning, vehicle inspection, driver training and public awareness.
Infrastructure and road maintenance
Road safety is also linked to the condition and design of transport infrastructure.
The Ministry of Works and Transport recently inspected roads in Uganda’s Central Region, covering sections in Mpigi, Gomba, Masaka and Sembabule.
The inspection examined road conditions, construction quality, compliance with standards and interventions needed to improve connectivity and safety.
The government is also working on a 72.5-kilometre network around Wakiso and Mpigi intended to improve connectivity and provide alternative routes around congested parts of Kampala.
The project includes the Nakawuka-Nateete, Nakawuka-Kasanje-Mpigi, Nakawuka-Mawagulunanzi-Junea, Kasanje-Buwaya and Entebbe-Nakiwogo roads.
The ministry says the network is expected to provide alternative links between communities and help traffic travelling between western Uganda and Entebbe avoid some congested sections of Kampala.
However, the ministry has identified land acquisition and compensation issues as challenges affecting the pace of the project.
Public transport operators face a changing regulatory environment
For bus and taxi operators, the current enforcement drive represents a significant change in the regulatory environment.
Operators are now expected to comply with requirements covering vehicle condition, licensing, driver accreditation, route charts, working hours and alcohol and drug restrictions.
Failure to meet those requirements can result in vehicles being impounded or drivers being arrested.
For passengers, the enforcement is intended to provide greater assurance that the vehicles they use are roadworthy and that drivers are properly qualified and fit to operate them.
However, sustained improvement will depend on whether enforcement remains consistent after high-profile operations end.
The importance of enforcement consistency
One of the challenges facing transport regulation is ensuring that safety requirements are applied consistently.
Short-term operations can remove unsafe vehicles from roads, but long-term road safety requires continuous inspection and enforcement.
The return of some DMC vehicles to Kampala roads after enforcement operations illustrates this challenge.
Authorities will therefore need to maintain inspection systems, follow up on repeat offenders and ensure that vehicles repaired after being impounded do not return to service without meeting the required standards.
Transport operators, meanwhile, have a responsibility to ensure that their vehicles and drivers comply with the law before putting passengers on board.
What the reforms mean for passengers
For ordinary passengers, stricter enforcement could mean changes in how buses and taxis operate.
Some vehicles may be removed from service temporarily because of mechanical defects or licensing violations.
Some long-distance bus schedules may also need to change to accommodate replacement drivers under the new fatigue-management rules.
Although such changes may create short-term inconvenience for operators and passengers, the stated objective of the reforms is to reduce risks associated with unsafe vehicles and fatigued drivers.
Passengers also have a role to play by reporting dangerous driving, overcrowding and visibly defective vehicles to the relevant authorities.
Conclusion
Uganda’s transport sector is undergoing a renewed regulatory push as authorities intensify inspections of buses, taxis and other public-service vehicles.
The recent interception of more than 20 buses in Kampala, the impounding of vehicles violating route requirements and the introduction of stricter rules for long-distance bus drivers are part of a broader effort to reduce road crashes and improve passenger safety.
The government is simultaneously pursuing longer-term reforms, including commercial vehicle inspections, a proposed driver demerit system and closer engagement with transport operators.
The scale of Uganda’s road-safety challenge means that enforcement will need to be accompanied by improvements in vehicle maintenance, driver training, road infrastructure and public awareness.
For the reforms to deliver lasting results, consistent enforcement will be as important as the rules themselves.
The ultimate measure of the transport sector’s progress will be whether safer vehicles, responsible driving and better-managed public transport translate into fewer deaths and serious injuries on Uganda’s roads.
**Source
