Millions of Ugandan motorists could soon face tougher traffic regulations as the government considers a raft of far-reaching road safety reforms aimed at reducing accidents, improving discipline on the roads and strengthening enforcement mechanisms across the country.
The proposed changes, which emerged from a national consultative meeting on the Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) and speed management, include holding vehicle owners accountable for offences committed using their vehicles, introducing a demerit points system for repeat offenders and deploying biometric monitoring technology for public transport drivers.
According to Winstone Katushabe, the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety and Chief Licensing Officer of Motor Vehicles, the recommendations were generated from views submitted by members of the public and various stakeholders. He said the proposals will now undergo further review before being forwarded to Cabinet for consideration.
Among the most controversial recommendations is a plan to make vehicle owners answerable for traffic violations committed by individuals driving their vehicles. Authorities argue that vehicle owners have a responsibility to know who is behind the wheel and should cooperate with investigators whenever offences are committed using their vehicles.Government is also targeting habitual traffic offenders through a proposed demerit points system that would go beyond the current fines regime.
Drivers who repeatedly violate traffic laws could accumulate penalty points and face tougher sanctions, including suspension of their driving licences.Commercial and public transport drivers may also be subjected to biometric monitoring systems designed to track working hours and rest periods. Officials say the measure is intended to tackle driver fatigue, which has been identified as one of the leading causes of speeding and fatal road crashes in Uganda.
The reforms further seek to address the growing problem of noise pollution caused by motorists fitting vehicles with excessively loud horns and other unauthorized modifications. Authorities are working with inspection agencies and environmental regulators to ensure all vehicles comply with approved noise standards.
Katushabe maintained that stronger enforcement must remain at the heart of Uganda’s road safety strategy, warning that public awareness campaigns alone are not enough. If approved by Cabinet and later passed by Parliament, the reforms would usher in one of the toughest traffic enforcement regimes Uganda has seen in years, fundamentally changing how motorists, vehicle owners and transport operators are regulated.
