POLICE IMPOUND 51 BUSES IN NATIONWIDE CRACKDOWN OVER TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

Michael Kananura, Traffic Police spokesperson.

NILE POST

At least 51 buses have been impounded across Uganda in the past week for violating traffic regulations, as Traffic Police intensify enforcement measures following a surge in deadly road accidents involving public transport vehicles.

Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura said the crackdown targets bus operators and drivers who fail to comply with safety regulations, including adherence to approved route charts.

“In one week, we intercepted and impounded 51 buses across the country. Of these, 41 were found to have violated route charts, while 10 lacked mandatory requirements. Two did not have valid driving licenses, three lacked driver badges, and five did not have the required driver photographs,” Kananura said.

He added that most of the affected drivers have since been charged before courts of law.

Rising Road Fatalities

The crackdown follows a series of fatal road crashes that have claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks.

At least 37 people died in major road accidents within 10 days in July 2026, with four major crashes involving public transport vehicles, including three school buses carrying learners on educational trips and one passenger service bus.

The deadliest incident occurred on July 17 in Kapchorwa District, where 21 people, including 20 pupils of King David Junior School in Ndejje, Kampala, and one adult, died after their bus crashed while returning from a study tour at Sipi Falls.

The Isuzu bus, registration number UA 108BQ, reportedly developed mechanical problems before the fatal crash at Chekwatit Village, Kimawa Parish, Kawowo Sub-county.

Police preliminary investigations indicated that the driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road, struck a large stone and overturned.

The tragedy raised concerns over the safety checks conducted before school trips and whether vehicles transporting learners meet the required safety standards.

Days earlier, on July 7, 2026, another fatal crash at Bobi Trading Centre along the Kampala-Gulu Highway claimed 14 lives and left 28 others injured.

The crash involved a passenger bus, registration number UBE 110H, belonging to OPIT Travellers Company, and a Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer, registration numbers KBS 564D/ZE 7948.

According to police findings, the bus driver was speeding and lost control while attempting to avoid a pedestrian crossing the road, resulting in a head-on collision with the trailer.

Kananura said enforcement of route charts is among the measures being used to improve road safety and reduce accidents involving public transport vehicles.

“Route charts are not intended to inconvenience passengers or transport operators but are a critical safety measure that serves important purposes. They help regulate return journeys, prevent drivers from making unnecessary return trips, and manage driver fatigue, which is one of the major contributors to accidents,” he said.

He explained that route charts also discourage speeding by ensuring drivers maintain approved travel times.

“If the distance between Kampala and Gulu is supposed to take five hours and you arrive in four hours, it means you have been speeding. Route charts also help reduce congestion caused by buses competing on the road,” Kananura added.

He warned that compliance with traffic regulations is mandatory and that drivers and operators who violate safety requirements will face legal action.