The Ministry of Works and Transport has intensified its road safety enforcement campaign along the busy Kampala–Masaka Highway as authorities seek to curb the growing number of fatal road crashes on one of Uganda’s most dangerous transport corridors.
In a major field operation dubbed “Operation Barabara Salaama,” enforcement teams from the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Police Force on Thursday mounted spot checks targeting buses, taxis and heavy commercial trucks operating along the highway.
The operation was led by the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety, Winstone Katushabe, alongside the Deputy Director of Traffic and Road Safety, ACP Norman Musinga.
Officials said the crackdown is aimed at ensuring compliance with road safety regulations and removing unsafe vehicles and drivers from the road before they can cause accidents.
According to the Ministry, the exercise focused on high-risk vehicle categories that account for a significant proportion of road crashes and fatalities. These include passenger service vehicles such as taxis and buses, as well as heavy trucks that transport goods between Kampala and southwestern Uganda and neighbouring countries.
The Kampala–Masaka Highway is one of the busiest roads in the country, carrying thousands of passengers and cargo vehicles daily. However, it has also become notorious for deadly crashes, many of which have been linked to speeding, reckless overtaking, driver fatigue, mechanical defects and disregard for traffic regulations.
Authorities said enforcement teams were inspecting vehicle roadworthiness, driver permits, compliance with speed regulations and other safety requirements.
The operation comes amid heightened concerns over road safety following a series of fatal accidents reported on major highways across the country in recent months.
Government officials have repeatedly warned that many public service vehicles continue to operate with mechanical defects, expired licenses, worn-out tyres and other safety violations that put passengers at risk.
Speaking during the operation, Katushabe emphasized the need for strict compliance with transport regulations, saying road safety remains a shared responsibility between government agencies, vehicle owners, drivers and passengers.
He urged transport operators to prioritize safety and ensure that vehicles on the road meet the required standards.
ACP Musinga, who represented the Traffic Police, said enforcement operations will continue as authorities seek to reduce road carnage and improve discipline among motorists.
Traffic Police have consistently identified speeding, dangerous overtaking, distracted driving and poor vehicle maintenance as some of the leading causes of crashes on Ugandan roads.
The latest enforcement drive also sends a strong warning to transport operators who continue to flout safety regulations despite repeated government sensitization campaigns.
Motorists and transport operators were urged to cooperate with enforcement teams and comply with all road safety requirements to avoid penalties and help make the country’s roads safer.
The operation forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen transport safety and reduce the number of deaths and injuries resulting from road crashes.
Road safety advocates have welcomed the renewed enforcement campaign, arguing that consistent inspections and strict penalties against offenders are critical in addressing the persistent problem of reckless driving.
With passenger traffic expected to increase in the coming months, authorities say similar operations will be extended to other major highways across the country as government intensifies efforts to restore order and save lives on Uganda’s roads.
For many road users, however, the success of Operation Barabara Salaama will ultimately be measured not by the number of vehicles inspected, but by whether the crackdown translates into fewer crashes, fewer fatalities and safer journeys for millions of Ugandans who rely on the country’s highways every day.
