Police in the Ssezibwa Region have launched an operation targeting Subaru vehicles fitted with modified exhaust systems that produce loud “pop and bang” noises following persistent complaints from residents of Lugazi Municipality in Buikwe District.
The operation was prompted by concerns raised with the Buikwe Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Maj. David Matovu, who said residents had complained that the excessive noise, particularly at night, was disrupting their sleep and affecting public peace.
According to police, the enforcement exercise is aimed at restoring public order and ensuring compliance with traffic regulations governing vehicle modifications and road use.
The crackdown will focus on vehicles fitted with illegally modified exhaust systems designed to create explosive backfiring sounds, commonly referred to as “pop and bang” exhausts. Such modifications have become increasingly popular among some Subaru enthusiasts but have drawn criticism from communities over noise pollution.
Police warned that motorists found operating vehicles with unlawful modifications risk having their vehicles impounded and facing action under the Traffic and Road Safety Act.
The latest operation comes amid heightened enforcement against reckless driving and illegal vehicle modifications. Earlier this year, Traffic Police arrested six Subaru drivers accused of reckless racing along the Masaka-Kampala Highway after they were tracked using the national CCTV surveillance system. Authorities warned that drivers engaging in dangerous road competitions or violating traffic regulations face prosecution, fines and possible disqualification from driving.
The Uganda Police Force has in recent months intensified intelligence-led operations across the country targeting offences that threaten public safety and order, including traffic violations, dangerous driving and criminal activity.
Police have appealed to motorists to comply with traffic laws and avoid modifications that inconvenience the public, saying the operation in Lugazi will continue until the nuisance is eliminated.