Uganda Police have intensified three ongoing road safety operations targeting dangerous public service vehicles, non-compliant heavy trucks and vehicles fitted with illegal equipment as authorities step up efforts to reduce road crashes and improve compliance on the country’s roads.

The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety said the operations, Operation Ganyegenya, Operation Babala Salama and Operation Tekeleza Sheria, will continue as police and other authorities push for greater compliance with traffic regulations.

Under Operation Ganyegenya, police are targeting Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) operating in dangerous mechanical conditions.

The operation is now in its 27th day. According to the Uganda Police Force, 130 vehicles were impounded during the previous week alone.

Since the operation began, a total of 499 vehicles have been impounded. Of these, 369 have undergone inspection, with only 42 vehicles, representing 11.1 per cent, passing the inspection. Another 328 vehicles, or 88.9 per cent, failed.

Police said some of the impounded vehicles have been inspected and, where necessary, deregistered and released to their owners for repairs, while others are still awaiting inspection.

The police also reported that 65 vehicles have so far undergone re-inspection. Of these, 39 vehicles, or 60 per cent, passed, while 26, representing 40 per cent, failed.

Taxi operators have been given a 100-day grace period to put their vehicles into proper mechanical condition. Police warned that enforcement will be intensified once the period expires, with offenders facing arrest and court action in accordance with the law.

The traffic authorities have also extended the road safety operations into night hours after receiving reports that some operators were deliberately driving at night to avoid enforcement.

Police urged taxi operators to voluntarily present their vehicles for inspection rather than wait for them to be impounded and face possible legal action.

Meanwhile, Operation Babala Salama, a joint operation between the Uganda Police Force and the Ministry of Works and Transport, is focusing on licensing and compliance among Public Service Vehicles, as well as the implementation of guidelines covering Sinotruks and other related heavy trucks.

Sinotruk operators and other operators falling within the targeted category have been given a 60-day window to voluntarily present their vehicles for inspection.

However, the window does not apply to vehicles identified by police officers on the road and suspected to be in a dangerous mechanical condition.

Police said vehicles in the affected category that do not have the required inspection reports after the 60-day period will be impounded in accordance with the law.

So far, 148 vehicles have been inspected under the operation. Of these, 107 passed the inspection, while 41 failed and were deregistered.

Authorities have urged Sinotruk and related heavy-truck operators to use the inspection window provided by the Minister of Works and Transport before enforcement measures are intensified.

The third operation, Operation Tekeleza Sheria, is being conducted jointly by the Uganda Police Force and the UPDF Military Police Brigade.

It targets vehicles fitted with illegal sirens and swivelling or flashing lights, vehicles operating without number plates and those with concealed number plates. The operation also targets security personnel who fail to comply with traffic regulations.

Since the operation started, 70 vehicles have been impounded. Seven drivers have so far appeared in court, with six convicted and one remanded.

Police said the remaining files are before Regional State Attorneys for sanctioning before court proceedings can begin.

The Uganda Police Force has also issued a specific warning to school bus operators and drivers, reminding them that school buses must have valid inspection reports and that school bus drivers are required to obtain the necessary badges.

Operators transporting school children have been urged to voluntarily present their vehicles for inspection. Police said vehicles found to be in a mechanical condition that poses a risk to learners may not be allowed to continue transporting children.

The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety urged motorists and operators covered by the three operations to comply with traffic requirements before enforcement action is taken.

Police said the operations will continue as authorities work towards greater compliance and safer roads for all road users.