Transport safety laws regarding children’s seating need to be stricter

What you need to know:
- A child sitting on the floor with no seatbelt could easily be thrown across the bus if an emergency arises. In the worst-case scenario, a crowded aisle could obstruct a quick evacuation, putting everyone’s life in jeopardy.
This past weekend, while travelling by bus from Mbarara to Kampala, I witnessed something that left me both shocked and deeply concerned. The bus, as expected, was full. But what struck me was the sight of children sitting or even lying down in the aisle for the entire journey, with no assigned seat. How is this still allowed?
The safety risks alone should make this practice unacceptable. A bus is not a playground, and the aisle is not a safe space for anyone; let alone children. We all know how sudden stops or sharp turns can happen in a split second, and the potential for injury in these scenarios is staggering.
A child sitting on the floor with no seatbelt could easily be thrown across the bus if an emergency arises. In the worst-case scenario, a crowded aisle could obstruct a quick evacuation, putting everyone’s life in jeopardy.
But beyond the dangers, this treatment is simply unfair. If adults are assigned seats, children should be too. No child should be forced to sit on a cold, hard floor for hours or squeezed in between bags and people. It is uncomfortable, degrading, and completely avoidable.
Travel should be an opportunity for families to enjoy each other’s company, not a traumatic experience that leaves children dreading their next trip. By failing to assign seats to children, we are sending the wrong message: that their comfort and safety are secondary to that of adults. That is simply not acceptable.
The responsibility to change this lies not just with bus services, but with every transport company in Uganda. We need to see a fundamental shift in how children are treated on buses. Every child, no matter their age, should be assigned a seat. The company should make it a standard policy, and staff should be trained to enforce it.
Parents should not be put in a position where they have to fight for a seat for their children.
Furthermore, this issue calls for greater regulatory oversight. Transport safety laws regarding children’s seating need to be stricter and better enforced. Regulatory authorities should carry out regular inspections to ensure compliance with these laws, and those found in violation should face serious consequences. I
t is time to hold companies accountable for the safety and dignity of their passengers, especially the most vulnerable.
Parents also have a role to play. If you find yourself in this situation, speak up. Do not accept the idea that your child is not entitled to a seat. Demand the basic right to travel safely and comfortably. If enough of us raise our voices, these companies will have no choice but to listen.
Service industries, especially in public transport, should integrate empathy into their operational standards. It is not just about getting passengers from point A to point B; it is about recognising that passengers have different needs and that some of those needs might be urgent and emotional. Empathy is not an inconvenience; it is an asset.
In fact, showing compassion in tough moments builds loyalty, trust, and mutual respect between service providers and the public. Imagine the loyalty you will get from giving a mother an extra seat for her child instead of forcing her to vacate it for a passenger who has not even boarded yet.
Children are not cargo; they are human beings who deserve to be treated with the same care and respect as any other passenger.
It is time to stop this dangerous practice and ensure that every child has a safe, comfortable seat on public transport. The time to act is now, before a tragedy forces us to face the consequences of our inaction.
Victoria Kyolaba Namatovu, Concerned traveller