Govt, transport players ought to work together

As the festive season approaches, the government must take immediate action to address the looming transport crisis as reported on Page 8 of this newspaper today.

The recent ultimatum issued by the Ministry of Works and Transport, requiring all bus owners and drivers to acquire validated badges by December 4, 2024, while good and well-intentioned, has sparked chaos and confusion among stakeholders.

The government's decision to mount checkpoints along highways to enforce the badge requirement has resulted in the arrest of drivers and impounding of buses, causing inconvenience to passengers and bus owners. While the crackdown is plausible, the announcement and short time given to them is unrealistic, especially during the festive season when many Ugandans rely on public transport to travel to their hometowns.

The concerns raised by Hajj Munir Kayanja, the chairman of Bus Owners Buganda Region, are valid. The similarities between the badge and driving permit requirements are striking, and it is illogical to require drivers to obtain separate documents within a very short time.

In light of these challenges, we urge the government to extend the deadline for acquiring validated badges by a week to allow drivers and bus owners’ sufficient time to comply with the requirements and make the process easier.

The government must harmonize these documents to simplify the process and reduce the burden on drivers.

Equally so, the government should have done this several months ago because the drivers have been on the road, anyway.

Furthermore, the enforcement of the badge requirement should be extended to all forms of passenger service vehicles, including taxis, to ensure a level playing field and enhance road safety.

To address the current backlog, the Ministry of Works and Transport must increase its manpower to process badge applications efficiently. This will help to reduce the congestion and frustration experienced by drivers and bus owners.

By taking these steps, the government can ensure a seamless transport experience for Ugandans during the festive season. We urge the Ministry of Works and Transport to take immediate action to address these concerns and prevent a transport crisis.

In the same vein, even when we are asking the government to put its house in order, the transport stakeholders must also fulfill their end of the bargain.

Police reports over the past years have shown that road accidents are highest during the festive season and the causes are majorly by motorists themselves. Many times the vehicles are in poor mechanical condition, the drivers have no permits or are fatigued, and failure to observe the road signs.

So we ask the drivers that even when they are storming ministry offices, they should organize their own houses. It is a two-way solution.