On the first day of a campaign targeting Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) in unsafe mechanical condition, police have taken 178 taxis off the roads in Kampala.

The operation started on Monday, 24 August 2026, after a directive from the Minister of State for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama.

He instructed police to impound taxis classified as being in a Dangerous Mechanical Condition (DMC).

Traffic and Road Safety Police spokesperson Michael Kananura reported that the 178 vehicles had been seized and were being kept at different police stations across the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) area.

“During our enforcement operations against Public Service Vehicles operating in dangerous mechanical conditions, a total of 178 vehicles have been impounded within the KMP area,” Kananura stated.

Of these, 53 were taken in KMP East, 62 in KMP South and 63 in KMP North.

Kananura explained that the crackdown seeks to make sure taxis carrying the public meet the necessary road safety standards.

“The operation is aimed at ensuring that all Public Service Vehicles operating on our roads are roadworthy, properly maintained and compliant with the required safety standards,” he said.

He cautioned taxi owners, operators and drivers against allowing mechanically faulty vehicles onto the roads, noting that such vehicles put passengers and other road users at risk.

“A mechanically unsafe vehicle is not only a danger to its passengers but also poses a serious risk to other road users,” Kananura added.

He called on operators to take ownership of their vehicles’ condition by carrying out regular checks and fixing any mechanical problems before using them.

“We strongly urge all PSV owners, operators and drivers to prioritise the safety of passengers and other road users by ensuring that their vehicles are regularly inspected, properly maintained and kept in a safe and roadworthy condition,” he said.

Kananura confirmed that the enforcement effort would extend past the first day, with police committed to achieving compliance throughout Kampala.

“These enforcement operations will continue until sanity and full compliance are restored within the KMP area,” he stated.

The campaign is planned to last 100 days and focuses on removing unsafe vehicles from public transport while enhancing passenger safety.

Police have advised taxi owners and operators to repair mechanical faults before returning their vehicles to service, stressing that road safety rules will not be relaxed.