A total of 178 public service vehicles have been impounded during the first week of Operation Ganyegenya, a 100-day joint enforcement campaign targeting dangerously unroadworthy vehicles in the Kampala Metropolitan Area.

Police Traffic Spokesperson Michael Kananura said the operation, which began on August 24, 2026, has so far impounded 53 vehicles in KMP East, 62 in KMP South and 63 in KMP North.

Of the 178 impounded vehicles, 106 taxis have undergone inspection, while 72 are still awaiting inspection.

Kananura said 97 percent of the vehicles inspected were classified as dangerously mechanically conditioned (DMC), with individual vehicles found to have between seven and 46 defects.

So far, 84 vehicles have been handed back to their owners for repairs and rectification, while 22 vehicles that have been inspected remain uncollected.

Police said the impounded vehicles will only be cleared for re-registration after the owners have completed the required repairs and the vehicles successfully pass machine-based auto inspection.

The inspection uncovered a range of defects, including cracked windscreens, faulty brakes, missing or defective seat belts, lack of fire extinguishers and first-aid kits, damaged bodywork, defective lights and door locks, illegal bull bars, missing warning triangles and poorly maintained interiors.

Kananura warned public transport operators against returning deregistered vehicles to passenger service, saying offenders will face stronger enforcement measures.

Operation Ganyegenya will continue for 100 days, with police and other enforcement agencies targeting improved road safety and compliance in Uganda’s public transport sector.

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