Government to impound dilapidated taxis in Greater Kampala crackdown
Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama said taxi owners and operators have until Monday to withdraw unroadworthy vehicles from service or risk having them impounded by authorities.
The government has announced a 100-day operation to remove commuter taxis in Dangerous Mechanical Condition (DMC) from roads within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, with enforcement set to begin on Monday, August 24, 2026.
Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama said taxi owners and operators have until Monday to withdraw unroadworthy vehicles from service or risk having them impounded by authorities.
The operation, to be conducted by the Uganda Police Force, will target poorly maintained 14-seater commuter taxis commonly known as “Ganyegenya”, which the government says pose a threat to passengers and other road users.
“Our roads must not become death traps because of poorly maintained vehicles,” Byamukama said, adding that public transport must be safe, roadworthy, and fit for purpose.
The Minister said the crackdown follows concerns over the increasing number of ageing and unsafe taxis operating in the city and surrounding areas, Survey exposes poor vehicle conditions
Byamukama revealed that a 60-day survey conducted through government vehicle inspection centres found serious mechanical challenges among some commuter taxis.
He said none of the 30 taxis inspected during the exercise was fit to pass the required inspection standards.
Some of the vehicles, he said, were in extremely poor condition, with some allegedly being kept on the road using temporary fixes such as ropes and other unsafe methods.
The findings have increased pressure on transport authorities to enforce existing roadworthiness requirements and protect passengers from avoidable accidents, Police to lead enforcement
The Minister has directed the Uganda Police Force to lead the 100-day operation across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The enforcement exercise will focus on identifying and removing taxis that fail to meet safety standards while ensuring compliance with vehicle inspection regulations.
Authorities say the operation is aimed at improving road safety and reducing risks associated with mechanical failures, Public transport safety concerns
Taxis remains a major means of transport for thousands of commuters in Kampala and surrounding areas, making vehicle safety a key public concern.
Government officials argue that allowing poorly maintained vehicles to operate puts passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists at risk.
The crackdown comes as part of broader efforts to improve road safety and ensure that public transport operators meet minimum standards.
Byamukama urged taxi owners to maintain their vehicles and comply with safety requirements, warning that authorities will not allow unsafe vehicles to continue operating on public roads.
The government says the operation will continue for 100 days as it works to improve the quality and safety of public transport in the metropolitan area.
