The Ministry of Works and the Uganda Police are collaborating to eliminate a culture of negligence and impunity on Uganda’s roads, ensuring safer travel for everyone and stopping the employment of reckless drivers by transport companies, prompting the ongoing inspection and suspension of YY Coaches following two deadly accidents linked to the company’s buses.

As the inspection enters its second day on May 20, 2025, YY Coaches bus company has been ordered to submit a full list of all its drivers, complete with appointment letters and driver badges for verification.

This is part of a strict directive from State Minister for Transport, Hon Fred Byamukama, requiring compliance within the 15-day suspension period before the company can resume operations on any Ugandan highway. Transport companies are now squarely held accountable to ensure only qualified and responsible drivers operate their vehicles.

The suspension, which began on May 13, 2025, came after two tragic accidents: one on Katosi Road, where a speeding bus overturned and caught fire, killing several passengers and injuring others, and a second near Karuma Dam, which left multiple people seriously injured.

The recent crashes have devastated families and communities, renewing urgent calls for government action to save lives.

The State Minister for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, emphasized that these measures are part of a larger national strategy to restore discipline and protect lives on the roads.

“We cannot allow companies to prioritize business operations over the lives of Ugandans,” he said.

Traffic Police Spokesperson SP Michael Kananura also delivered a stern warning to drivers during a media briefing on May 19, 2025, urging them to strictly adhere to speed limits, conduct regular vehicle servicing, and maintain mechanical safety standards.

SP Kananura emphasized that drivers involved in fatal crashes will now face permanent driving bans.

“A driver causes an accident, lives are lost, and the next day he is back behind the wheel. On behalf of the Uganda Police Force, I am sending this message loud and clear: this will no longer be treated as business as usual,” he stated firmly.

“This crackdown signals a clear shift from the past, when reckless drivers faced few consequences and quickly returned to the roads. That era is over. All agencies are now united in taking firm action, including permanently banning drivers responsible for fatal crashes,” Kananura added.

Additionally, the police spokesperson, ACP Rusoke Kituuma, revealed that investigations into the YY Coaches crashes uncovered gross driver negligence behavior that authorities can no longer tolerate.

The suspension has left many passengers stranded, with YY Coaches reportedly deploying smaller vehicles to maintain limited services, causing inconvenience but highlighting the government’s resolve to prioritize public safety over operational convenience.

Authorities have warned that failure to comply with these regulations will lead to harsher penalties, including possible revocation of operating licenses.

This crackdown sends a clear and urgent message, which is that negligent driving and lax company oversight that put lives at risk will no longer be tolerated on Uganda’s roads. The government’s firm action marks the beginning of a new era in road safety, one where accountability and the protection of human life come first.