The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) has announced plans to introduce an online system for renewing bus driver badges within four months and a biometric monitoring system to improve compliance with route schedules and strengthen road safety.

The resolutions were reached during a meeting between the ministry’s Department of Transport Regulation and Safety, Traffic Police and bus drivers to address challenges affecting public transport operations.

The meeting, chaired by Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety Winstone Katushabe, followed an earlier engagement in which bus drivers were asked to present concerns affecting their work.

The issues raised included delays in processing driver badges, training, alleged extortion at checkpoints, interstate bus operations and the need for drivers to organise themselves under a single umbrella association.

Under the resolutions, bus drivers without a previous accident record will have their badges processed within one day. The ministry also clarified that the badges are issued free of charge.

The planned online renewal system is intended to enable drivers to renew their badges remotely without travelling to the ministry’s offices.

To strengthen compliance with route schedules, the ministry will introduce a biometric monitoring system. Each bus operating a return journey will also be required to have three drivers.

The ministry, in collaboration with Uganda Police, will take measures to address reported cases of extortion at checkpoints. The interventions will include the deployment of hidden cameras to help investigate allegations and identify those involved.

Bus drivers were also urged to organise themselves under one umbrella association to improve coordination, representation and engagement with government authorities.

The ministry committed to holding quarterly meetings with bus drivers to discuss emerging challenges, agree on solutions and share developments in the transport sector.

The meeting was attended by the Director of Traffic Police, AIGP Lawrence Niwabiine, officials from the Inspectorate of Vehicles (IOV) and Workers’ Member of Parliament Phiona Nakku.