A new study has found that 82% of taxi drivers operating in the Kampala metropolitan area are experiencing stress, raising concerns about the mental wellbeing of drivers who play a vital role in the city’s transport system.
The research was conducted by Dr. Linda Jovia Kyomuhendo, a medical doctor and graduate of the Master of Public Health programme at the Makerere University School of Public Health. The study revealed high levels of psychological distress among drivers working in major taxi parks across Kampala.
The research involved 422 minibus taxi drivers operating from several taxi parks, including Old Taxi Park, New Taxi Park, Kisenyi, Usafi, Namirembe, Nakawa and Nateete.
According to the findings, more than 70% of the drivers showed signs of anxiety, while 65.6% were found to have symptoms associated with depression.
The study identified long working hours, financial pressure, poor sleep, and past road accidents as some of the major causes of stress among taxi drivers.
Many drivers begin work before dawn and continue until late evening, struggling to earn enough income in the highly competitive transport sector.
The research further notes that Uganda has an estimated 400,000 taxis transporting millions of passengers every day, making them a critical part of the country’s public transport system.
Despite their central role in daily mobility, the study indicates that the mental health of taxi drivers has received little attention, even though their wellbeing is closely linked to the safety of passengers and other road users.
Dr. Kyomuhendo’s findings suggest that the pressure of working in crowded taxi parks and navigating Kampala’s congested roads may be silently affecting drivers’ mental health.
The study therefore highlights the need for greater attention to the psychological wellbeing of taxi drivers who keep the city moving every day.
Uganda’s road transport system relies heavily on 14-seater public service taxis and motorcycles, which move millions of passengers daily. In the Kampala Metropolitan Area, thousands of taxis operate every day, making them a key component of urban mobility.
The research concludes that the mental health of taxi drivers should not only be treated as a workplace health concern, but also as an important public safety issue.
According to Dr. Kyomuhendo, psychological distress can affect a driver’s ability to concentrate, react quickly, and make sound decisions on the road—skills that are essential for safe driving in a city with heavy traffic and complex road conditions like Kampala.
“If drivers are anxious or sleep-deprived, there is a risk they may struggle to follow traffic rules or respond quickly to hazards,” she said.
