Operators oppose plan to remove old taxis from Uganda's roads, demand more time

Taxi operators in Kampala have asked government to extend a planned crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles, warning that the directive risks disrupting livelihoods and was issued without adequate consultation.

The operators say the move requires more time to allow for repairs and ensure orderly implementation.

On March 18, State Minister for Works Fred Byamukama issued a 20-day directive, setting April 8 as the deadline to begin removing vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition from the roads, in a bid to curb road accidents.

The announcement triggered concern among taxi operators, even as some passengers welcomed the prospect of safer and cleaner public transport.

Speaking at a meeting with drivers at Gaddafi National Mosque on Tuesday, Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators (UTOF) chairperson Rashid Ssekindi urged government to extend the deadline to at least June 2026.

“We need more time to enable our taxi operators to repair these vehicles. Mr Byamukama did not engage the taxi operators before issuing the directive,” Ssekindi said.

He warned that abrupt enforcement could affect about 3,000 people, noting that the impact would be felt beyond Kampala’s roughly 1,000 taxis.

The meeting, attended by dozens of drivers and leaders from Kampala, Wakiso and Entebbe, also discussed broader challenges in the transport sector.

Taxi stage operator Ali Lukyamuzi called on government to first prioritise road rehabilitation before enforcing stricter vehicle standards.

He cited roads such as Nakawuka Road, Masaka Road and the Mityana–Mubende highway, arguing that poor road conditions significantly contribute to vehicle damage and high maintenance costs.

“We need more time to service our vehicles. We are the ones paying taxes for these government officials to get their salaries, so why are they treating us as foreigners?” Lukyamuzi said.

He also raised concerns about the tax burden on operators, including annual fees of about Shs750,000 and daily stage charges of Shs5,000, compounded by rising fuel prices.

Efforts to reach Byamukama for comment were unsuccessful by press time.

However, the Ministry of Works and Transport communications officer Allan Ssempebwa dismissed claims that government intends to evict old taxis from the roads.

“We did not give any directive that the government would evict taxis in a dangerous condition. The media took the meeting out of context,” Ssempebwa said.

“Our programme was about buses, focusing on inspection. We can never push any programme without engaging stakeholders,” he added.

According to the latest annual police crime report, road traffic deaths in Uganda rose to 5,383 in 2025, an average of 15 fatalities per day, underscoring the urgency of improving road safety and enforcement mechanisms.