The government has issued stringent directives aimed at enhancing road safety and ensuring compliance with transport regulations as the festive season approaches.
The guidelines were issued by the Ministry of Works and Transport together with the traffic police on Friday.
Among the measures, buses covering journeys exceeding 300 kilometers are prohibited from making return trips within 24 hours during the festive season.
“All buses whose journeys are beyond 300 km shall not have return journeys within 24 hours. Only buses with valid route charts and valid PSV licenses shall be allowed to operate,” the Works and Transport Minister, Gen Katumba Wamala, directed.
During the festive season, bus operators inflate transport costs due to the surge in the number of travelers heading upcountry to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
Many bus drivers resort to speeding in order to complete multiple trips within a short time frame to maximize profits.
The increase in speed and pressure to make multiple return journeys has severely led to a rise in road accidents during the festive season.
Katumba also directed that school buses and unauthorized private vehicles are barred from carrying passengers for hire, adding that bus drivers are required to carry valid driving licenses and display their photos in the buses.
“No school bus shall be allowed, and any private vehicle that is not authorized by the Ministry to carry passengers for hire shall be allowed to operate. All bus drivers shall possess valid driving licenses and driver badges at all times while driving. A photo of the driver shall be displayed in the bus,” he said.
The traffic police, he said, will step up enforcement across the country through the festive season with a focus on keeping the road safe.
The measures aim to combat road tragedies that rapidly increase during the festive season.
During last year’s festive season, close to 60 lives were lost in the period from 23rd December 2023 to 1st January 2024.
The reported figures for this year, from January 2024 to the end of September 2024, show that 3,790 lives were lost and more than 12,430 serious injuries were caused as a result of road traffic accidents.
During this period of 9 months, motorcyclists and pedestrians contribute 64% of the total road traffic crash fatalities.
Gen. Katumba warned against the reckless habit of boda boda riders who ride long distances in groups as they head to their rural areas to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
He appealed to all road users, especially motorists, to avoid drunk driving during the festive season, avoid speeding and dangerous driving maneuvers, and make use of the car seatbelts and child restraint.
“For the motorcycle or boda boda riders, wear and fasten your standard helmet properly, and have a reflector jacket. Carry one passenger and do not overload. Keep the headlights on at all times,” said Katumba.
“During this rainy season, drivers should be cautious on wet road surfaces to avoid skidding. Avoid driving through flooded road sections as much as possible. Avoid talking or texting on the phone and other forms of distractions while driving. Make sure that your vehicle is in a sound mechanical condition and roadworthy. Avoid overloading your vehicle. It affects your vehicle’s stability and ability to control it,” he added.
Katumba further said that every driver should move with an original or copy of their driving license while driving.
Katumba also asked drivers to avoid overloading and advised passengers not to accept being transported like cargo.
“Life is too precious to leave it entirely in the hands of your drivers to determine. Speak up,” he said.
