By Amos Ssemuwemba
In a major nationwide operation, Uganda’s traffic police have arrested 619 drivers for driving without valid licenses over the past six days. The arrests, part of a broader crackdown on unlicensed driving, took place on various roads across the country. According to traffic police records, 110 of those arrested had no driving licenses at all, 275 were driving with expired licenses, and 230 were operating vehicles outside their authorized license classes.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Michael Kananura, the traffic police spokesperson, expressed concern over the alarming number of unlicensed drivers on the road. “We will continue these operations to ensure that all drivers without valid licenses are arrested and penalized. How can you be driving when you’ve never held a driving license at all?” Kananura remarked, adding that some drivers were found with forged licenses, exacerbating the issue.
The rise in unlicensed driving is suspected to be a significant factor contributing to the high rate of road crashes in Uganda. On September 4th, a fatal accident at Nakazzi in Luweero District highlighted the dangers. A truck driver, who veered off his lane, caused a head-on collision along the Gulu-Kampala highway, resulting in four deaths. SP Kananura confirmed that the police are actively searching for the truck driver responsible for the crash.
Eyewitness reports from six survivors of the Luweero crash indicated that the driver, who also perished in the accident, was dozing at the wheel, despite multiple warnings from passengers. “Although it’s the truck driver who drifted from his lane, the Toyota Hiace driver was already tired. We ask passengers to always take enough rest and never allow fatigued drivers to drive them,” Kananura emphasized, pointing to fatigue as a critical factor in road safety.
In response to the rising concerns, Fred Tumwine, Chairperson of the Road Safety Advocacy Coalition of Uganda (ROSACU), and Winston Katushabe, Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Licensing at the Ministry of Works and Transport, stressed the importance of ensuring that public transport drivers are well-rested. “It is crucial that public transport drivers remain sober and avoid driving while fatigued. Vehicle owners must ensure their drivers are well-rested to prevent fatal accidents,” Tumwine stated.
With schools reopening, there is a renewed focus on the safety of children using public transport. SP Kananura and Jackson Musoga, Programs Officer at Hope for Victims of Traffic Accidents (HOVITA), urged school van drivers to exercise caution and avoid overcrowding. Parents and guardians are also advised to accompany children under 12 to school, particularly along busy highways.
SP Kananura reiterated the importance of adhering to safety regulations, including avoiding carrying excess passengers and ensuring that school vans do not exceed their capacity. He also reminded commercial motorcycle riders to avoid carrying more than two children. To ensure safer transportation, students are encouraged to use recognized taxis and boda boda stages and avoid boarding tinted vehicles.
Additionally, obtaining a taxi driver permit in Uganda involves several steps, including holding a valid driving permit for at least two years, undergoing a medical examination, completing a refresher course, passing a theory test, and submitting the application to the Transport Licensing Board. These measures are essential to improve road safety and reduce accidents across the country.
