18 drivers arrested over illegal sirens, lights set to appear in court
The suspects were arrested on September 23, 2026, during an operation along the eastern route in Mukono, according to Michael Kananura, the Traffic and Safety Directorate spokesperson.
Michael Kananura, the Traffic and Safety Directorate spokesperson. (File photo)
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Eighteen drivers arrested during the ongoing ‘Tekeleza Sheria’ operations along the Kampala-Jinja Highway are expected to appear before the Mukono Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (September 24), over allegations of driving vehicles fitted with illegal sirens and swivelling lights.
The suspects were arrested on September 23, 2026, during an operation along the eastern route in Mukono, according to Michael Kananura, the Traffic and Safety Directorate spokesperson.
Kananura said all 18 suspects had been detained and were expected to appear in court on Thursday.
"In the Tekeleza Sheria operations conducted today, September 23rd 2026, along the eastern route in Mukono, 18 drivers were apprehended for driving vehicles fitted with illegal sirens and swivelling lights,” Kananura stated.
The arrests bring the total number of vehicles impounded during the ongoing operation to 499 within 28 days of the 100-day operation.
Operation Tekeleza Sheria is a nationwide crackdown launched by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in coordination with the Uganda Traffic Police. The operation targets numberless, unregistered and unlicensed motor vehicles across Uganda, starting from the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area and extending to other parts of the country.
“We continue to caution motorists who are still using illegal sirens and swivelling lights, concealed number plates or driving vehicles without number plates to immediately comply with the law. Those found in violation will be arrested and taken to court. Let us comply with the law and keep our roads safe,” he said.
Acting director of Defence Public Information, Col Chris Magezi, said on September 16, 2026, that the operation would also target vehicles with covered number plates, some of which belong to members of the security forces and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
“The drivers of such vehicles will be arrested and prosecuted in courts of law for gross violation of traffic regulations. Also to be arrested are members of the security services who fail to adhere to traffic regulations, including driving without valid driving permits and licenses,” Magezi said.
He said civilian-registered vehicles found in possession of military stores, such as military jackets, whether displayed on driver’s seats or not, and other military paraphernalia would be impounded.
“The drivers or owners of the vehicles will be arrested and court-martialled in accordance with the UPDF Act 2025, as amended. This is therefore to notify the public about the ongoing operation and to appeal for their usual cooperation and support. The operation will proceed in earnest until further notice,” Magezi added.
Following the commencement of the operation, sanity had been restored on several roads within Greater Kampala.
Along the Kampala-Jinja Highway, the military placed a roadblock at Bweyogerere in Kira Municipality, Wakiso district, to check errant drivers.
At Bweyogerere, several motorists who spoke to New Vision said the checkpoint had helped enforce traffic rules, improve road safety and stop the illegal use of sirens and lead cars by unauthorised motorists.
Rashid Wafula, a daily commuter from Mukono to Kampala, said the Kampala-Jinja Highway has so many people moving with sirens.
“For the last two days, I have not seen those road bullies pushing us off the road. How I wish these roadblocks were not only restricted to Kampala and are made permanent; we would have sanity on our roads,” he stated.
This is not the first time the military and police have set up roadblocks in and around Kampala. In March this year, Military Police were deployed in the same spots shortly after the country held its general elections.
Many claimed the operations targeted opposition politicians, but the army denied that the checkpoints across the Kampala Metropolitan Area were aimed at apprehending opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, after residents reported soldiers stopping vehicles in several areas, including Gayaza.
The UPDF said the checkpoints were part of a joint operation by the Military Police Brigade and the Uganda Police Traffic Directorate, which launched the exercise to “enforce traffic regulations and restore order” on the capital’s roads.
“This is therefore to dismiss the insinuations from some quarters that the snap checkpoints mounted by the Military and Uganda Police traffic corps is an effort to apprehend NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, who is also National Unity Platform (NUP) party leader,” Magezi said in a statement.
“No one is looking for or interested in the NUP leader. The aim of the police forces is to restore discipline, total observance of traffic regulations, and curtail criminal activities by some motorists on the roads.”
Magezi said the operation targets motorists violating traffic laws, including those driving unregistered or numberless vehicles and individuals illegally using sirens.