Uganda Traffic Police: Kampala PSV Crackdown Targets Unsafe Vehicles

• Uganda Traffic Police have launched a 100-day crackdown on unroadworthy public service vehicles (PSVs) in Kampala, ordered by Minister Fred Byamukama.
• The operation aims to protect passengers and road users by treating mechanical vehicle condition as a critical road safety issue.
• Last week, 398 drivers were apprehended for operating vehicles with serious mechanical defects, including issues with steering, tires, and body structures.
• Vehicles found with severe defects will be impounded and inspected, with action taken against responsible parties.
• PSV owners are urged to proactively inspect and maintain their vehicles, as the sustained enforcement is not a ban on the taxi business but targets unsafe vehicles.

The authorities are emphasizing that any vehicle deemed mechanically unsafe should not be transporting members of the public.

Uganda's Traffic Police have initiated a significant enforcement campaign targeting mechanically dangerous public service vehicles (PSVs) across Kampala. This extensive operation, which commenced on Monday, was mandated by the Minister for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, and is slated to continue for 100 days. Its primary objective is to address the prevalence of unroadworthy vehicles, particularly those used for passenger transport within the capital.

Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura confirmed that the crackdown is not intended to disrupt the taxi business but rather to safeguard passengers and other road users. Authorities are shifting their focus to treat the mechanical condition of PSVs as a critical road safety concern, moving beyond its traditional classification as merely a transport sector issue. This reorientation underscores the gravity of mechanical defects as a contributing factor to the nation's ongoing road safety challenges.

Prior to the official start of the 100-day initiative, enforcement actions were already underway. Last week alone, 398 drivers were apprehended for operating vehicles deemed mechanically dangerous, alongside other traffic infractions. This early enforcement highlights the immediate focus on removing unsafe vehicles from public roads, with Kananura stressing that any vehicle with serious mechanical issues is unfit to transport the public.

Police officers involved in the operation have reported encountering numerous vehicles with severe defects impacting essential safety components. These critical flaws include issues with steering systems, worn-out tires, compromised doors, damaged seating, and structural integrity problems within the vehicle body. Such deficiencies pose direct risks to passenger safety and the overall stability of the vehicle.

Observations indicate that some operators frequently rely on temporary repairs to keep their vehicles operational, rather than addressing underlying major mechanical problems. Specific examples cited by the Traffic Police include vehicles where doors are secured with ropes, seats are extensively damaged, and tires are severely worn. While the Traffic Police have consistently taken action against such vehicles, enforcement has proven challenging on routes where a permanent police presence is lacking. The new, sustained operation aims to overcome these limitations by actively identifying and removing dangerous PSVs from all roads.

Vehicles found to possess serious mechanical defects will be impounded and transported to designated locations for thorough inspection. Following these assessments, appropriate action will be taken against the individuals responsible for operating or maintaining these non-compliant vehicles. Kananura reiterated that the operation should not be misconstrued as an effort to halt the operations of taxi businesses or the broader PSV sector. He acknowledged the vital role taxis play in transporting Ugandans and supporting the national economy, emphasizing that the crackdown specifically targets vehicles that fail to meet required mechanical standards.

Operators have been cautioned against attempting to evade enforcement by concealing their vehicles. Kananura underscored that this is not a short-term exercise, stating that the authorities intend to sustain the crackdown until a significant response from public service vehicle operators is observed. The overarching goal of this initiative is to restore order and enhance safety on Kampala's increasingly congested road network. PSV owners and operators are strongly encouraged to proactively inspect and maintain their vehicles to ensure compliance before they are used for public service, rather than waiting for police intervention.

Lawyers advising transport companies or PSV operators in Uganda should immediately inform clients of the heightened enforcement risk for unroadworthy vehicles, emphasizing the need for urgent mechanical inspections and compliance to avoid impoundment and penalties during this sustained 100-day operation.

Source: Original reporting via local media