By Our Reporter
The Ministry of Works and Transport has suspended YY Coaches for 15 days following a spate of road accidents that have raised alarm over passenger safety and regulatory oversight. The suspension, which took immediate effect, was announced by State Minister for Transport Fred Byamukama as the government launches an in-depth investigation into the company’s operations.
YY Coaches, one of Uganda’s most prominent long-distance transport providers, has come under scrutiny after several recent crashes. Preliminary findings point to reckless driving, mechanical faults, and poor vehicle maintenance as key contributors to the incidents.
Minister Byamukama emphasized that the temporary suspension is aimed at protecting passengers while enabling a comprehensive audit of the company’s safety and compliance standards.
“This is not a punishment, but a necessary intervention,” Byamukama said. “Passenger lives must be prioritized. If further violations are uncovered, stricter and longer-term penalties may follow.”
Reactions from the public have been mixed. Regular passengers of YY Coaches expressed concern over the disruption to their travel routines, especially those commuting between major towns and across borders. However, many Ugandans welcomed the move, seeing it as a long-overdue step to enforce safety standards in the transport sector.
The Uganda Police Traffic Department has been directed to compile a full report detailing the company’s accident history, driver behavior, and vehicle roadworthiness. Transport safety experts argue that the YY Coaches saga reflects broader issues in Uganda’s public transport sector, where regulations often exist on paper but are poorly enforced in practice.
“YY’s suspension could be a turning point,” said one transport analyst. “It shows that regulators are willing to take bold action, but consistency and follow-through will be key to meaningful change.”
The Ministry of Transport has urged passengers to use alternative travel providers during the suspension period. As of now, YY Coaches has not issued a public statement in response to the suspension, but industry observers believe the company will be under pressure to implement sweeping reforms to regain public and regulatory trust.
The next 15 days will be critical—not only for YY Coaches but also for the government’s credibility in enforcing road safety. How this situation unfolds could set the tone for future accountability in Uganda’s transport industry.
