The Ministry of Works and Transport has revealed that three out of four buses involved in recent road crashes across Uganda were not licensed because they were found to be in poor mechanical condition and were not fit to operate on public roads.
The revelation was made by Winston Katushabe, the Commissioner for Transport Regulation at the Ministry of Works and Transport, while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure. He told lawmakers that the affected buses had failed to meet the required safety standards, yet some of them were still found operating on Ugandan roads.
Katushabe explained that government inspection processes are meant to prevent unsafe vehicles from being used for public transport. However, the continued involvement of such buses in road crashes has raised concerns about enforcement and monitoring of transport regulations.
During the parliamentary appearance, the Commissioner also admitted that government has not yet identified the driver who was operating the bus involved in a deadly crash in Kapchorwa District. The bus had earlier been rejected by authorities after it was found to have serious mechanical problems.
The disclosure has renewed debate about road safety in Uganda, with lawmakers questioning how vehicles that have been declared unfit for operation continue to carry passengers and put lives at risk.
Transport authorities have repeatedly emphasized the importance of regular vehicle inspections, proper licensing, and compliance with safety regulations to reduce road accidents. However, the latest revelations highlight challenges in enforcing these measures across the country.
The Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure is expected to continue examining the circumstances surrounding the crashes and assess whether stronger measures are needed to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are allowed to operate.
