The Works and Transport Minister, Fred Byamukama has directed police to impound commuter taxis operating in a Dangerous Mechanical Condition (DMC) in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, with the enforcement operation set to begin on Monday, August 24th, 2026.
The 100-day operation will target poorly maintained taxis, particularly the dilapidated 14-seater commuter vehicles commonly known as “Ganyegenya,” which the minister said pose a serious risk to passengers and other road users.
Byamukama said he had instructed the Uganda Police Force to remove dangerous vehicles from the roads, stressing that public transport vehicles must be safe, roadworthy and fit for purpose.
“Starting Monday, 24th August, no DMC taxis will be allowed within the Greater Kampala-Metropolitan Area,” Byamukama said.
He added that the operation is intended to prevent roads from becoming “death traps” because of poorly maintained vehicles.
The first phase of the operation will cover Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts. However, taxis that are properly maintained and pass the required mechanical and roadworthiness checks will be allowed to continue operating.
The minister gave taxi owners and operators until Monday to remove vehicles in poor mechanical condition from the roads or risk having them impounded.
The directive follows a recent inspection in which none of the 30 commuter taxis assessed met basic safety and mechanical standards. Some of the vehicles reportedly had torn seats tied together with strings, while parts of their bodies were secured using ropes, raising concerns about their ability to transport passengers safely.
“We are realizing some of the taxis are putting our lives at risk,” Byamukama said.
The minister emphasized that the crackdown is not targeting all taxi operators, but specifically vehicles whose mechanical condition makes them unsafe for public transport.
