The Uganda Traffic Police have attributed the rising number of fatal school bus crashes to reckless driving and poor road discipline, warning that dangerous driving habits continue to put the lives of school children at risk. They also said that driver indiscipline remains the biggest contributor to traffic congestion in Kampala despite ongoing efforts to improve road infrastructure.
Speaking on the state of road safety during a televised broadcast on July 23rd, 2026, the Traffic Police Spokesperson, SP Michael Kananura said many school buses and vans are now operating on longer routes through unfamiliar and hazardous sections of the country’s road network, exposing children to greater danger.
“We are concerned by the recent increase in fatal road crashes, especially those involving school children. Several school buses and vans are travelling through hazardous sections of roads with known black spots that the drivers are not aware of,” Kananura said.
He urged school transport operators to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, avoid speeding, and exercise extra caution, particularly when travelling long distances or using unfamiliar roads.
Kananura also blamed persistent traffic congestion in Kampala largely on driver indiscipline, saying irresponsible road user behaviour, rather than inadequate infrastructure alone, is responsible for many of the city’s traffic jams.
According to him, motorists who block junctions, drive on the wrong side of the road, ignore traffic lights, and fail to give way significantly worsen congestion.
“In many cases, traffic congestion is caused by driver indiscipline rather than the road infrastructure itself. The immediate solution is a change in road user behaviour,” he said.
The Traffic Police spokesperson also warned against the illegal use of sirens and escort vehicles by private individuals attempting to beat traffic, stressing that the law only grants the right of way to specific government officials and emergency services.
“It is illegal for private individuals to install sirens or use escort vehicles to force their way through traffic. The right of way is only provided for the State motorcade, the Vice President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, the Chief Justice, ambulances and emergency military vehicles. Ministers do not have the legal right of way,” Kananura noted.
He warned that motorists found illegally using sirens or abusing emergency equipment risk prosecution under the Traffic and Road Safety Act.
Despite the current road capacity challenges, Kananura said government interventions, including the installation of additional traffic lights and ongoing road improvement projects, are gradually improving traffic flow in Kampala and other urban centres.
He appealed to all road users to embrace discipline, patience and respect for traffic laws, saying behavioural change remains the quickest and most effective way to reduce traffic congestion and prevent avoidable road crashes.
