UPC Demands Comprehensive Transport Policy as DMC Crackdown Disrupts Commuters

What the report says

The Uganda Peoples Congress has welcomed government efforts to remove unsafe vehicles from Uganda’s roads, but it says the ongoing crackdown on vehicles in Dangerous Mechanical Condition could deepen transport shortages and push fares higher unless replacement arrangements are made. The party’s comments were reported by Nile Post in relation to the Ministry of Works and Transport and Traffic Police operation targeting public service vehicles in Greater Kampala.

UPC spokesperson Sharon Arach Oyat said the party supports getting unroadworthy vehicles off the road, but wants the exercise widened beyond taxis to include other mechanically unsafe transport and private vehicles. She argued that the policy response should not stop at enforcement and should instead address the wider road safety and public transport problem.

The party linked its concerns to recent road crash figures cited from the 2025 Police Annual Crime Report, saying road accidents continue to cause major loss of life and strain on the health system. At the same time, UPC warned that commuters are already feeling the effects of the crackdown, with reports of higher fares and passengers stranded at some stages in Greater Kampala.

As a possible short-term measure, UPC urged government to deploy institutional buses while the operation continues. It also called for a broader national transport policy that connects roads with rail, commuter, water and air transport, alongside stronger road construction and maintenance. The party’s position reflects a wider debate over how to improve safety without worsening mobility for daily travelers.