Uganda Launches Major Vehicle Crackdown: Taxis Banned, Bus Operators Given 60-Day Ultimatum for Safety Inspections
KAMPALA, Uganda — In a sweeping move to combat the country’s rising road crash fatality rate, the Ugandan government has announced an aggressive two-phase plan to remove mechanically unsafe vehicles from the roads, targeting taxis immediately and giving bus operators a 60-day window to comply with new certification requirements.
The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) has banned taxis in dangerous mechanical condition (DMC) from operating within Kampala Capital City Authority and its suburbs, effective March 19. The announcement, made via social media and confirmed by State Minister for Transport Fred Byamukama, comes after officials claimed that operators ignored prior opportunities for voluntary inspections.
Impoundments Begin April 8
According to the Ministry, while the ban takes effect immediately, authorities will begin impounding non-compliant taxis starting April 8. Minister Byamukama highlighted specific hazards plaguing the public transport sector, including vehicles emitting excessive dust, producing foul odors, and relying on makeshift repairs—conditions he stated are endangering passengers.
Buses Granted Grace Period
In a separate pronouncement delivered by Minister Byamukama, the government has granted bus operators a strict 60-day grace period running from April 8 to June 8, 2026, to voluntarily present their buses for inspection.
“Only mechanically sound vehicles will be allowed on our roads,” Byamukama stated on X (formerly Twitter). “A decisive step to cut crashes caused by unsafe vehicles.”
The inspection exercise for buses will commence with vehicles operating on the Northern and Eastern routes before expanding nationwide.
Expansion to Trucks and Trailers
Officials confirmed that the safety blitz will later extend to trucks and trailers. The Ministry cited the need to reduce road crashes resulting from poor mechanical conditions, noting that vehicle defects have been a key contributor to the country’s traffic accident statistics.
Context: A Crisis on Ugandan Roads
The crackdown is fueled by alarming crash data. According to figures cited by the Ministry, 2024 saw 25,808 crash casualties, with unsafe vehicles playing a key role in the majority of incidents.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
While the government’s stance has garnered support from road safety advocates, the swift implementation has sparked concerns among commuters and transport operators.
Members of the public have expressed fears that the removal of taxis from the roads could lead to immediate fare hikes and an over-reliance on motorcycle taxis (boda bodas), which many consider less safe than regulated four-wheeled vehicles.
The Ministry maintains that the operation—summarized by the slogan “Safer Vehicles, Safer Road Users, Safer Journeys”—is necessary to save lives, urging all public service vehicle owners to utilize the grace periods to ensure their fleets meet roadworthiness standards before enforcement ramps up in April and June.
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