Govt Tightens Bus Rules, Orders New Driver and Route Checks

What the report says

The Ministry of Works and Transport in Uganda has introduced a broad tightening of rules for public service buses and school transport, following a series of crashes that raised concerns about safety, driver fatigue and weak enforcement. The measures were announced by Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama on August 17, 2026, after talks with transport stakeholders, Traffic Police and bus operators.

According to Nile Post, the new directives require a nationwide audit of bus ownership, fresh route charts, and full mechanical inspections before buses can receive operating approval. Vehicles with unclear ownership or failing safety checks will not be allowed back on the road until they are repaired and certified. The ministry is also introducing annual driver badges, biometric log-ins and refresher training rules to prevent unvetted or proxy drivers from operating buses.

The reforms place special emphasis on fatigue management. Long-distance buses will need two accredited drivers on some routes, while drivers on shorter return trips must observe mandatory rest periods. The government has also ordered the closure of illegal bus parks and un-gazetted loading points, with passenger pick-ups restricted to authorised terminals.

School transport faces stricter controls as well, including inspections, accredited drivers, insurance, seatbelts, first-aid kits and limits on night travel. Special school trips will need written clearance from the Ministry of Education and Sports. The changes follow heightened scrutiny after recent fatal bus crashes, including the July 16 King David Junior School accident in Kapchorwa, which police said killed 24 people.