COMMENT: If we do not fix the pipeline that produces DMC taxis, impounding them will not solve anything

What the report says

The Independent Uganda published a commentary by transport expert Ronald Amanyire arguing that Kampala’s recent crackdown on taxis deemed to be in dangerous mechanical condition is treating a symptom rather than the underlying problem. According to the piece, the impoundments have already left passengers stranded in the city and pushed more people onto boda-bodas, showing how dependent commuters remain on informal transport.

Amanyire says the situation reflects deeper failures in urban transport planning and governance. He points to fragmented oversight involving the Kampala Capital City Authority, the Ministry of Works and Transport, police and taxi associations, and argues that the city has long lacked a coordinated mass-transit system, including scheduled buses, integrated ticketing and dedicated routes. He also says Kampala’s roads and infrastructure have not kept pace with commuter demand.

The commentary further frames poor vehicle condition as one result of weak inspection, limited fleet renewal and economic pressure on operators, rather than the root cause itself. In the writer’s view, impounding unsafe taxis without fixing the “pipeline” that produces them will not produce lasting improvement. The piece also highlights boda-bodas as both an essential service and a safety concern, underscoring the broader transport gap in Kampala.

Overall, the argument is that enforcement alone cannot solve public transport problems unless authorities build a more formal, better regulated system. The article was published on August 25, 2026.