Uganda: Hundreds of Passengers Stranded As Taxi Crackdown Bites

What the report says

Hundreds of commuters were left without transport across the Kampala metropolitan area on Monday after traffic police began a wide crackdown on commuter taxis considered to be in dangerous mechanical condition, according to AllAfrica’s republished report from The Independent (Kampala). The operation started early in the morning and focused on older 14-seater taxis, often called “gganyegenya,” in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts.

Police were deployed on major roads and checkpoints, including Gayaza Road, Jinja Road, the Northern Bypass at Busega, Namugongo, Kawempe and Hoima Road. At one checkpoint in Rubigi, officers reportedly impounded dozens of taxis serving routes linked to Kakiri, Nansana and nearby areas, and passengers were ordered to get out and find other means of travel. The seized vehicles were towed to a KCCA-gazetted parking yard in Nakawa.

The campaign follows a directive announced by State Minister for Works and Transport Fred Byamukama, who said police should remove unsafe taxis from the road starting Monday. The report says the government is targeting vehicles with worn-out parts, faulty doors, poor tyres and other defects that could endanger passengers and other road users. It also notes broader road-safety enforcement measures, including checks on inspection certificates, overloading and reckless driving.

For passengers and taxi operators, the immediate effect was disruption and financial strain. Some operators said they were trying to keep working while arranging repairs, while a taxi park leader welcomed the crackdown but questioned whether enforcement would be consistent.