Government Suspends Unsafe Buses as Nationwide Safety Crackdown Begins

[Da Dona]

The Ministry of Works and Transport has suspended several unsafe buses from operating following the rollout of intensified safety inspections aimed at improving road safety across the country.

The enforcement drive comes as the government begins mandatory inspections for commercial public service vehicles, starting with buses, taxis and trucks, in response to a rise in fatal road crashes.

The operation started On Thursday, officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Uganda Police Force and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) conducted a surprise compliance operation at Kisenyi Bus Terminal in Kampala to ensure public service vehicles meet the required safety standards.

The exercise was led by Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety, Winstone Katushabe, who said the operation focused on verifying driver documentation, vehicle roadworthiness, operator licensing and passenger safety.

"The operation, supported by the Uganda Police Force and Kampala Capital City Authority, is checking driver documentation, vehicle roadworthiness, operator licensing and passenger safety standards," Katushabe said.

He warned that buses operating without valid licences, proper documentation or acceptable mechanical standards would be removed from the road.
"Only compliant, licensed and mechanically sound public service vehicles will be allowed to continue operating," he said.

During the inspection, officers examined driving permits, professional driver accreditation, vehicle inspection certificates, tyres, brakes, lights, seat belts, emergency exits and compliance with approved passenger capacity limits.

The crackdown follows revelations that three of the four buses involved in major crashes in July were operating without valid licences after failing mechanical inspections, despite being unfit for public transport.

Authorities say the nationwide inspections will continue as part of government efforts to eliminate unsafe vehicles from Uganda's roads and reduce the number of road traffic accidents.

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