Bus Drivers Threaten Monday Strike Over Badge Renewal Costs

What the report says

The United Bus Drivers Association (UBDA) has warned that professional bus drivers may withdraw their services from Monday, October 12, over the cost of renewing driver badges and attending mandatory refresher training. The group says the financial and administrative burden of keeping badges valid is becoming too heavy for drivers, especially given what it describes as limited salaries.

In a notice cited by Nile Post, the association said drivers would park their buses in protest and described the planned action as a peaceful industrial response. The notice was addressed to the public and copied to the Uganda Bus Owners Association, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety in the Uganda Police Force. UBDA said it still recognises the importance of road safety and lawful regulation.

The association is asking for reforms that would make refresher training more practical, affordable and developed in consultation with professional drivers. It also said the advance warning was meant to give passengers, bus owners and authorities time to prepare for possible disruption.

If the threat is carried out, commuters and long-distance travellers across Uganda could face transport delays, since buses are a major form of inter-city and inter-district travel. Nile Post reported that it is not yet clear how many drivers would join the action or what response the authorities may take.