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• The Ugandan government has introduced new regulations requiring bus operators to change drivers after long-distance journeys exceeding 300 kilometres.
• A proposed electronic clocking-in system for public-service vehicle drivers would monitor driving hours, rest periods, and speeding.
• The measures aim to reduce driver fatigue, a major contributor to road crashes in the country.
• The government has also proposed strengthening digital verification of driver records and enforcement of transport regulations.

The Ministry of Works and Transport has separately proposed an electronic clocking-in system for public-service vehicle drivers to monitor their driving hours, rest periods and speeding.

The Ugandan government has introduced new regulations aimed at reducing driver fatigue, a major contributor to road crashes in the country. Under the directive, bus operators will be required to change drivers after long-distance journeys exceeding 300 kilometres. This measure is part of a broader effort to improve public service vehicle safety requirements and reduce the risk of accidents on Ugandan roads.

The new regulations are in response to a series of fatal road crashes involving buses and other passenger vehicles in recent weeks. The Ministry of Works and Transport has proposed an electronic clocking-in system for public-service vehicle drivers, which would monitor driving hours, rest periods, and speeding. This proposal was presented to Parliament's Committee on Physical Infrastructure in July and is part of the government's efforts to strengthen digital verification of driver records and enforcement of transport regulations.

The implementation of the new electronic monitoring system may lead to increased enforcement of driver fatigue regulations, potentially impacting bus operators' compliance obligations. Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of this development as it may require adjustments to their existing policies and procedures. The government's efforts to improve public service vehicle safety requirements are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of driver fatigue and road crashes in Uganda.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the implementation of the new electronic monitoring system, which aims to track driving hours, rest periods, and speeding. This development may lead to increased enforcement of driver fatigue regulations and potentially impact bus operators' compliance obligations.

Source: Original reporting via Uganda's government press release