Government has announced tougher measures to improve school transport safety following the recent school bus crash that claimed the lives of more than 20 students.
The measures were unveiled on Friday during a high-level stakeholder conference organised by the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda Police Force, Ministry of Education and Sports, and the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) to address rising road crashes involving school-going children.
Speaking at the conference, Winston Katushabe, Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety at the Ministry of Works and Transport, said the tragedy underscored the need for urgent action to protect learners on Uganda’s roads.
“Recent road tragedies involving children highlight the need for stronger safety measures. The Ministry is committed to strengthening inspections of transport, including school buses, while embracing smart enforcement solutions to improve discipline and protect young lives,” Katushabe said.
He added that drivers transporting learners will be required to undergo vetting, possess valid driving licences and obtain an official Ministry-issued badge before operating school transport vehicles.
The Ministry of Education and Sports also announced immediate measures aimed at strengthening learner safety.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Denis Mugimba, all schools have been issued with the Basic Requirements and Minimum Standards for Schools, which include stricter guidelines for school transport.
He said every vehicle transporting learners must have a valid Private Motor Omnibus (PMO) licence with IOV certification, be roadworthy, and be driven by a person holding the appropriate class of valid driving permit.
“Among the immediate measures announced is the suspension of school study trips and tours until further notice, while the Government undertakes broader consultations and develops long-term interventions to prevent the recurrence of incidents involving learners,” Mugimba said.
The conference heard that road crashes continue to claim thousands of lives annually.
According to the Traffic Annual Crime Report 2025, an average of 14 people die on Uganda’s roads every day, including about two school-going children. Speeding and reckless driving remain the leading causes of road crashes.
Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to improve compliance.
He said police will intensify enforcement operations, particularly on route compliance, while strengthening the use of smart transport solutions such as the Express Penalty System (EPS) to curb traffic indiscipline.
The Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) said technology will play a critical role in improving road safety by enhancing monitoring and accountability.
Steven Turyarugayo, Public Relations Consultant for the ITMS project, said artificial intelligence-powered technology will strengthen enforcement and encourage responsible road use.
“Through our AI-powered technology, EPS can support improved vehicle identification, monitoring and enforcement while providing relevant authorities with better tools to promote compliance and accountability. We therefore believe that the Express Penalty System is what will bring social behaviour change on the roads for the safety of our school-going children,” Turyarugayo said.
Stakeholders at the conference emphasized that protecting children on Uganda’s roads requires stronger inspections, stricter enforcement, responsible driving and coordinated action among all agencies to prevent avoidable road deaths.
