The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has intensified its crackdown on public service vehicles (PSVs), particularly buses, following a rise in road crashes involving passenger transport. In the latest nationwide enforcement operation, Traffic Police impounded 51 buses at various highway checkpoints and arraigned drivers before court for violating traffic regulations.
According to Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura, 41 of the impounded buses were found operating outside their approved route charts, while 10 others lacked mandatory requirements, including valid driving licences, driver badges and driver photographs. The affected drivers have since been taken to court and charged with the respective offences.
Kananura said the ongoing operation is intended to improve road safety following recent fatal crashes involving buses. He noted that although some passengers have complained about delays caused by the inspections, the enforcement is necessary to protect lives and ensure that public transport operators comply with the law.
“We have noted concerns from some members of the public travelling in these buses who view the enforcement of route charts as an inconvenience. We want to clarify that route charts are not intended to inconvenience passengers or transport operators. They are a critical road safety measure,” Kananura said.
He explained that route charts, which are prescribed by the Ministry of Works and Transport, regulate return journeys to prevent drivers from making unauthorized extra trips that often lead to fatigue. He added that the charts also help discourage speeding by ensuring drivers stick to approved travel schedules instead of rushing to make additional trips.
Kananura further noted that route charts reduce unnecessary congestion of buses on the same routes, preventing unhealthy competition among operators that frequently results in reckless driving, dangerous overtaking and fatal crashes.
He warned that compliance with route charts and all traffic regulations is mandatory, adding that any driver or transport operator found violating the law will face prosecution. He also cautioned police officers against allowing non-compliant buses to pass through checkpoints, saying any officer who fails to enforce the regulations will also be held accountable.
The Directorate has urged bus operators to fully comply with road safety requirements, emphasizing that the ongoing enforcement campaign is aimed at reducing accidents and making Uganda’s roads safer for all road users.
