Crackdown On Unroadworthy Vehicles Is Not a Fight Against Taxi Business-Police Says

Ugandan traffic police have launched a rigorous 100-day crackdown on unroadworthy public service vehicles, particularly in Kampala, to prioritize passenger and road user safety. The operation, ordered by the Minister for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, aims to remove vehicles with critical mechanical defects from the roads.

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We will not look at the condition of PSV vehicles as a mere transport issue. We are looking at it as a road safety issue.

Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura stated that the focus is shifting from a mere transport sector issue to a critical road safety concern. "We will not look at the condition of PSV vehicles as a mere transport issue. We are looking at it as a road safety issue," Kananura explained. He noted that mechanical defects are significant contributors to the country's road safety challenges.

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The message we want to send is that a vehicle that is mechanically unsafe has no business carrying members of the public.

During the initial phase, police apprehended 398 drivers for driving vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition (DMC) and other traffic offenses. Kananura highlighted encounters with vehicles exhibiting severe defects in steering systems, tires, doors, seats, and body structures, with some doors held together by ropes. He stressed that vehicles with such serious issues are unfit to carry the public. The operation intends to impound and inspect these vehicles, taking action against responsible parties, while assuring that the crackdown is not an attempt to halt the taxi business, which is recognized for its economic contribution.

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We have encountered vehicles where doors are held together by ropes, damaged seats, worn-out tyres and other defects.