Transport ministry orders driver swaps on long bus routes to curb fatigue
Byamukama said the restrictions are intended to ensure that drivers get adequate rest and that passengers are not exposed to risks arising from excessive driving hours.
The government has ordered an immediate overhaul of driver schedules on public buses, banning drivers from making return journeys on routes longer than 300 kilometres in a bid to curb fatigue and prevent road crashes.
The Minister of State for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, issued the directive after meeting bus operators and the Uganda Police Force on Monday evening at the Ministry headquarters.
Under the new measures, a driver who completes a journey of more than 300 kilometres must be replaced before the bus begins its return trip.
“The same driver should not drive back on the same route,” the Minister directed, instructing Traffic Police to apprehend operators and drivers who disregard the requirement.
For shorter routes of less than 300 kilometres, drivers will be allowed to travel to their destination and return once.
However, once the driver completes the return journey to the starting point, they must stop driving for the day.
The driver will not be permitted to undertake a third leg on the same day.
The measures are aimed at reducing fatigue among bus drivers, a factor that can increase the risk of crashes, particularly on Uganda’s busy long-distance routes.
Drivers to wear identification badges
The Ministry has also directed bus operators to prominently display driver identification badges inside their vehicles.
The badges are intended to make it easier for passengers and enforcement officers to identify the driver operating a particular bus.
The government has urged bus operators to comply with the new requirements, warning that enforcement agencies will take action against those who violate the directives.
The latest measures come as authorities continue efforts to improve road safety and strengthen accountability in Uganda’s public passenger transport sector.
Byamukama said the restrictions are intended to ensure that drivers get adequate rest and that passengers are not exposed to risks arising from excessive driving hours.
The government expects bus operators to immediately adjust their driver schedules to comply with the new rules, particularly on long-distance routes where drivers are required to be changed before the return journey.
