Uganda to mandate color-coding for school buses and vans

The Ugandan government is set to implement mandatory color-coding for all school vans and buses, a move aimed at significantly improving the safety of students traveling on the nation's roads. This initiative is a direct response to key recommendations from a recently established inter-ministerial committee.

The committee was initially tasked with reviewing the safety of school transportation following a tragic accident in Kapchorwa, which resulted in the deaths of several pupils and a teacher returning from a school trip. However, the review's scope broadened as it uncovered wider issues beyond occasional excursions, encompassing the daily commute of learners.

Assistant Inspector General of Police, Lawrence Nuwabiine, who directs Traffic and Road Safety, stated that the committee will examine the entire school transport system. "We are going to look at the entire school transport system. All aspects will be reviewed, and there will be strict enforcement of the measures that will be put in place," Nuwabiine said.

Concerns have been raised about daily school transportation, with reports of school vans being driven recklessly, overloaded, operating on unsafe routes, and lacking proper maintenance. Even before the Kapchorwa tragedy, instances of dangerous practices, like overloaded vans, were noted. The renewed focus also acknowledges that many learners rely on motorcycles, often carrying multiple children without adequate safety gear.

While previous guidelines for school transport have been issued, enforcement has consistently been a challenge. The proposed color-coding aims to improve vehicle visibility, facilitate easier monitoring by traffic officers, and deter unauthorized operators. This measure is also observed in neighboring countries like Kenya, where school buses are painted a distinctive bright yellow.

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We are going to look at the entire school transport system. All aspects will be reviewed, and there will be strict enforcement of the measures that will be put in place.