Hundreds of passengers were left stranded across the Kampala metropolitan area today morning as traffic police launched a crackdown on commuter taxis in dangerous mechanical condition.
The operation, which began as early as 6:00 a.m., targeted dilapidated 14-seater taxis commonly known as “gganyegenya” operating in Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono districts.
Police deployed heavily along major routes, including Gayaza Road, Jinja Road, the Northern Bypass at Busega, Namugongo, Kawempe and Hoima Road, stopping and impounding taxis found to be in dangerous mechanical condition.
At Rubigi Police Station along Hoima Road, one of the busiest checkpoints, police impounded at least 40 taxis serving routes to Kakiri, Nansana-Gganda and Nansana-Nabweru, areas known for having large numbers of older taxis.
Passengers were ordered to disembark and find alternative transport, while the impounded vehicles were towed by police recovery trucks to the Nakawa parking yard, which has been gazetted by Kampala Capital City Authority for impounded vehicles.
Tifu Nabapa, the Officer in Charge of Traffic at Rubigi Police Station, says some taxis were identified through visual inspection, while others were checked both inside and outside.
The operation is part of intensified road-safety enforcement by the Ministry of Works and Transport and traffic police.
Other measures include impounding vehicles without valid inspection certificates, cracking down on overloading and reckless driving, and conducting mechanical spot checks at major taxi parks and highway entry points.
By URN
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