MoWT Orders Police to Impound Tinted Public Service Vehicles

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Summary:

• The Ministry for Works and Transport instructs traffic police to impound public service vehicles with tinted windows and obstructed visibility, enforcing regulations to prevent criminal associations, amidst ongoing nationwide operations targeting traffic law violators.

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The Ministry for Works and Transport has instructed traffic police to impound all public service vehicles equipped with tinted glasses. Winston Katushabe, the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Road Safety, issued the directive Wednesday during the launch of next year’s road safety campaign in Kampala, focusing on the theme “Stay Aware, Stay Alive: Road Safety for All.”

Katushabe emphasized that public service vehicles like taxis, coasters, or buses must have windows ensuring sufficient visibility for passengers, allowing easy identification by law enforcement officers. According to Katushabe, tinting these vehicles creates an impression of involvement in criminal activities, such as smuggling contraband.

Furthermore, not only tinted windows but also any images obstructing visibility through windows or covering number plates will result in vehicle impoundment. This includes vehicles displaying images of politicians, musicians, or advertisements on windows or number plates. Michael Kananura, the traffic police spokesperson, highlighted their efforts to educate public transporters, including taxi drivers and motorcyclists, on the illegalities regarding their vehicles. However, many have yet to comply despite sensitization efforts.

Kananura reiterated that nationwide operations targeting traffic law violators are ongoing, stressing that no one will be exempted due to extensive prior awareness campaigns. “We have used the media and we have held meetings with the leaders and operators of all forms of public transporters. We have started operations to ensure we have safe roads during the festive season,” SP Kananura said.

December typically witnesses a surge in traffic-related fatalities and injuries. While daily road deaths typically range from 11 to 12 people, December often experiences an increase to 14 or more fatalities per day. This spike is attributed to heightened excitement, increased travel, speeding, and drunk driving. Siraje Mutyaba, a driver and a representative of public transporters, urged the police and the Ministry of Works and Transport to first educate individuals about the regulations regarding tinting or displaying images on public service vehicles. 

“You cannot wake up one day and start arresting drivers and bodabodas for putting images on the vehicles without sensitizing them. They should at least spend one-month educating people in the laws,” Mutyaba said. Katushabe also cautioned drivers seeking to showcase their new vehicles to their relatives and villages, warning that there will be no leniency this time, except detention and prosecution in courts of law.

Furthermore, parents were cautioned against allowing children below the age of 12 to occupy the co-driver’s seats, as it exposes them to severe injury or death in case of an accident. “Some people want to go and show people in the villages that they have bought new cars. Some put children on the steering claiming they are showing them love. You must not carry children in the front seats. You must have child restraints,” Katushabe said.

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