Bus Travel Under Watch as Govt Introduces Biometric Driver Monitoring

What the report says

Nile Post reports that Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport is preparing a biometric driver management system for passenger buses, intended to strengthen road safety enforcement. The system, now in a pilot phase, would require bus drivers to authenticate biometrically before trips, creating digital records of who is driving, when journeys begin, travel duration and whether operators are complying with safety rules.

According to the report, Winston Katushabe, the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety, announced the plan during an unannounced inspection of bus parks in Kampala conducted with Kampala Capital City Authority and Uganda Police Force officials. He said police would be able to verify drivers at checkpoints and compare expected travel times with actual arrivals, helping flag possible speeding. The system is also meant to prevent drivers from immediately taking another long-distance trip when rest is required.

The move follows heightened concern about fatal bus crashes in Uganda. Nile Post cited a recent Kapchorwa school bus crash involving pupils from King David Junior School, in which 24 people died, and another fatal passenger bus collision in northern Uganda. The ministry says fatigue, speeding, poor driver conduct and weak compliance have remained major risks in public transport.

During the Kampala inspection, officials reportedly found buses lacking valid Public Service Vehicle licences, route charts and other required paperwork. Some operators were stopped from operating until they met requirements, while one bus was sent for mechanical inspection. The ministry plans training for bus operators, park managers and traffic police before any wider rollout after the pilot phase.