KAMPALA — The Ministry of Works and Transport banned taxis in dangerous mechanical condition from Kampala and its suburbs, effective March 19, with impoundments starting April 8 after owners ignored prior inspection chances.
State Minister Fred Byamukama pointed to issues like excessive dust, poor odours, and makeshift repairs endangering riders, amid 2024’s 25,808 crash casualties, where unsafe vehicles played a key role.
Buses get a 60-day grace period for certification, but commuters worry about fare hikes and motorcycle reliance, while many welcome the push for road safety.
The ministry gave bus operators a 60-day window to voluntarily present their vehicles for inspection as part of a nationwide effort to improve road safety and reduce accidents caused by mechanical faults.
The directive, announced by State Minister for Transport Fred Byamukama, will run from April 8 to June 8, 2026. During this period, bus operators are expected to submit their vehicles for roadworthiness checks to ensure they are safe for passengers and other road users.
According to the ministry, the exercise will begin with buses operating along the Northern and Eastern routes before being rolled out to other parts of the country. Authorities say the initiative will later be extended to trucks and trailers, targeting a broader category of vehicles linked to crashes due to poor mechanical condition.
“This is a decisive step to cut crashes caused by unsafe vehicles. Only mechanically sound vehicles will be allowed on our roads,” Byamukama said.
The move comes amid growing concern over road safety, with government officials citing the role of poorly maintained vehicles in traffic accidents. Communications expert Allan Ssempebwa, who attended a meeting between the ministry and bus operators, said the exercise is aimed at “getting unsafe vehicles off our roads and protecting lives.”
The announcement follows a related crackdown on public transport in the রাজধানা, where authorities recently banned taxis deemed to be in a dangerous mechanical condition from operating within Kampala and its surrounding areas. Enforcement measures, including impounding non-compliant vehicles, are expected to intensify after the inspection window closes.
While many road safety advocates have welcomed the initiative, some commuters have expressed concern that stricter enforcement could lead to higher transport fares or reduced availability of public transport, particularly on high-demand routes.
Government officials, however, insist the priority is safety.
“Safer vehicles, safer road users, safer journeys,” the ministry said in a statement, underscoring its commitment to reducing fatalities and injuries on Uganda’s roads.
