GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN ON “GGANYEGENYA” TAXIS FROM THE ROADS IS WELCOME

By Sarah Nanteza Kyobe

The government’s decision to remove taxis in dangerous mechanical condition (DMC) from Uganda’s roads is not only welcome but long overdue.

For years, passengers have been forced to use vehicles that are clearly unfit for public transport, putting their lives at risk simply because they have few alternatives.

On August 24, 2026, the government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, launched a 100-day operation to remove DMC taxis from the roads in collaboration with the traffic police.

The operation is intended to ensure that public transport vehicles meet the required safety standards and protect passengers from preventable accidents and mechanical failures.

In my area, police were deployed along Salaama Road, Kabowa, Zana, Ndeeba, Kabuusu, Kitebi, Bunamwaya and Nyanama—areas where many of these taxis operate. As a resident, I have witnessed firsthand the poor condition of some of the vehicles that carry passengers every day.

Travelling in some of these taxis can be a shocking experience. I once boarded a taxi that had to be pushed before it could start. On another occasion, rain poured into the vehicle while I was seated inside because its body was in such poor condition.

I have also seen a taxi started with a house key—something I never imagined could happen with a vehicle carrying passengers. The condition of some taxi seats is another concern. Some are held together with ropes, while others have windows that cannot be opened. The situation becomes even more worrying when one considers the exhaust fumes emitted by poorly maintained engines. These are not merely inconveniences. They are serious public safety concerns.

For years, members of the public have used the term “gganyegenya” to describe some of these visibly dilapidated taxis. While the name may sound humorous, the reality behind it is not. A public transport vehicle carries human lives, and its mechanical condition should therefore be treated as a matter of life and death.

The government’s crackdown, however, has come with challenges. On the first day, some passengers were stranded after DMC taxis were taken off the roads. For people who depend on taxis to get to work, and for businesses that rely on public transport, the sudden reduction in the number of available vehicles can be frustrating. But the question we should ask is: should convenience come before safety? I believe the answer is no. Several commuters I spoke to while gathering views on the crackdown welcomed the operation despite the difficulties it created. Some even wondered why the government had taken so long to act. Their argument was simple: if a taxi is mechanically unsafe, it should not be carrying passengers in the first place. The crackdown should therefore not be viewed merely as an inconvenience to commuters or taxi operators. It should be seen as an opportunity to improve Uganda’s public transport system. Taxi operators, too, need to accept responsibility. Making a living from public transport does not remove the obligation to protect passengers. A passenger pays for transport, but also expects to arrive at their destination safely. As commuters, we also have a role to play. We should stop normalising dangerous vehicles simply because they are readily available. If a vehicle is visibly unsafe, passengers should report it rather than continue boarding it. Every Ugandan deserves to travel in a vehicle that is safe, clean, and mechanically sound. We should not have to sit on seats tied together with ropes, travel in vehicles that require pushing to start, or endure rain and dangerous exhaust fumes inside a taxi. The crackdown on “gganyegenya” taxis may inconvenience us today, but if it makes our roads safer tomorrow, then it is an inconvenience worth enduring. Safe transport should not be a privilege. It should be a basic right for every passenger. The Writer works with Uganda Media Centre.