News
Govt extends "Operation Barabara Salaama" to Kampala–Gulu Highway
Katushabe explained that they had decided to launch the operation on the Kampala–Masaka highway because it is one of the busiest roads in the country, carrying thousands of passengers and cargo vehicles daily and had recently become notorious for deadly crashes, many of which have been linked to speeding, reckless overtaking, driver fatigue, mechanical defects and disregard for traffic regulations.
Joint enforcement teams conduct spot checks on vehicles along the Kampala–Gulu Highway during “Operation Barabara Salaama” on August 18, 2026, targeting dangerous mechanical conditions, obscured number plates, worn-out tyres, defective lights, illegal horns and other road safety violations. (Courtesy)
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalist @New Vision
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Joint enforcement teams on Tuesday (August 18, 2026) extended “Operation Barabara Salaama” (Operation safe roads) to the Kampala-Gulu Highway, checking all vehicle categories in dangerous mechanical condition (DMCs), obscured registration plates, worn-out tyres, defective or flickering lights, illegal/noisy horns, driving licences and other safety violations.
The joint operation between Ministry of Works and Transport and the Traffic and Road Safety Directorate of the Uganda Police was led by the Deputy Director Traffic, Norman Musinga.
Drivers and vehicle owners found violating road safety regulations were subjected to immediate enforcement action as authorities intensify efforts to reduce road crashes across the country.
(Courtesy)
The latest operation comes shortly after similar crackdowns were intensified along the Kampala–Masaka Highway, where authorities targeted high-risk commercial transport operators, including buses, taxis and trucks.
On Thursday last week, the Ministry of Works and Transport in conjunction with the Uganda Police Force launched spot checks and enforcement targeting high-risk vehicle categories including buses, taxis and heavy trucks along the Kampala–Masaka highway.
The operation, codenamed “Operation Barabara Salaama” led by the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety, Winstone Katushabe, and Musinga, saw several vehicles flouting road regulations impounded, and drivers arrested and charged.
Katushabe explained that they had decided to launch the operation on the Kampala–Masaka highway because it is one of the busiest roads in the country, carrying thousands of passengers and cargo vehicles daily and had recently become notorious for deadly crashes, many of which have been linked to speeding, reckless overtaking, driver fatigue, mechanical defects and disregard for traffic regulations.
He said there was need for strict compliance with transport regulations, saying road safety remains a shared responsibility between government agencies, vehicle owners, drivers and passengers.
The operation also came a day after the Ministry of Works and Transport announced tougher measures to improve the safe operation of Sino trucks and other heavy dump trucks along major highways.
During the stakeholders’ meeting held at the Ministry offices in Kyambogo on Wednesday, Katushabe ordered for immediate accreditation of all Sino Truck drivers.
"All Sino Truck drivers will have to undergo a vetting process and scrutinising the driving licenses before being issued with driver badges," Katushabe said.
He said this will move alongside mandatory periodical inspection of all Sino trucks for conformity to road worthiness.
The Wednesday engagement brought together government agencies, dealers, owners, operators, drivers and truck drivers and owners' associations amid growing concern over fatal crashes involving Sino Trucks.
Katushabe said all such interventions are geared towards promoting sanity on the road.
Engineer Kharim Kibuuka, the principal inspector of vehicles with the ministry of works and transport, explained that most of the accidents caused by Sino Trucks were due to overloading, poor mechanical conditions of trucks, driver incompetence, fatigue and reckless driving.
During the stakeholders’ meeting held at the Ministry offices in Kyambogo on Wednesday, Katushabe ordered for immediate accreditation of all Sino Truck drivers.
"All Sino Truck drivers will have to undergo a vetting process and scrutinising the driving licenses before being issued with driver badges," Katushabe said.
He said this will move alongside mandatory periodical inspection of all Sino trucks for conformity to road worthiness.
The Wednesday engagement brought together government agencies, dealers, owners, operators, drivers and truck drivers and owners' associations amid growing concern over fatal crashes involving Sino Trucks.
Katushabe said all such interventions are geared towards promoting sanity on the road.
Engineer Kharim Kibuuka, the principal inspector of vehicles with the ministry of works and transport, explained that most of the accidents caused by Sino Trucks were due to overloading, poor mechanical conditions of trucks, driver incompetence, fatigue and reckless driving.