By Swift Reporter
Thousands of bus passengers across Uganda could face travel disruptions from Monday, October 12, after the United Bus Drivers Association (UBDA) announced plans for a strike over the cost of driver badge renewals and mandatory road-safety refresher training.
The planned industrial action threatens to disrupt passenger transport operations if the dispute remains unresolved, with travellers potentially facing cancelled journeys, delays and uncertainty as they prepare for the new week.
In a notice dated October 8, 2026, UBDA directed its members to stop driving until authorities engage the association and address its concerns over the financial and administrative requirements imposed on professional drivers.
The notice was addressed to the public and copied to the Uganda Bus Owners Association, the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Police Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, signalling that the association wants the dispute handled through engagement with the relevant authorities.
At the centre of the standoff is the cost of complying with government requirements that drivers say are placing an additional financial burden on workers whose earnings may not adequately cover recurring expenses.
“The current arrangement places a significant financial burden on drivers whose salaries do not adequately support recurring annual costs,” the association stated.
UBDA insists that it supports government efforts to improve road safety and ensure that drivers meet the required professional standards. However, it wants authorities to reconsider the cost and implementation of the requirements, arguing that safety measures should not impose unsustainable expenses on the very workers expected to enforce them on the roads.
“Our position is that road-safety training should be strengthened, but it should also be practical, affordable and designed in consultation with the professional drivers who operate Uganda’s roads every day,” the notice reads.
The dispute comes amid efforts by the government to tighten oversight of public service vehicle operations and improve passenger safety.
On August 17, 2026, State Minister for Transport Fred Byamukama announced measures requiring public service vehicle drivers to undergo vetting before receiving badges valid for one year. Renewal is subject to their road-safety records and professional conduct.
Drivers must also have completed a refresher course at a licensed driving school within the preceding 24 months. The training requirement is separate from the annual badge renewal process, meaning drivers must comply with both timelines.
While the requirements are intended to promote accountability and ensure that drivers remain competent, the impending strike has exposed a growing disagreement over who should bear the cost of implementing the safety framework.
The latest dispute is not the first time badge enforcement has caused friction in Uganda’s passenger transport sector. In December 2024, bus owners and drivers sought a two-month extension after reporting delays in obtaining the required documents. At the time, drivers complained that the process disrupted operations as police intensified highway checks.
The government has also introduced additional safety measures requiring buses travelling more than 450 kilometres, as well as those operating on interstate routes, to have two accredited drivers. The measure is intended to reduce driver fatigue and strengthen supervision on long-distance journeys.
UBDA has described its planned strike as peaceful and temporary, saying the advance notice is intended to give passengers, bus operators and government agencies time to prepare.