KAMPALA UGANDA: The United Bus Drivers Association (UBDA) has threatened to withdraw driving services from Monday, October 12, 2026, over the cost of renewing driver badges and mandatory refresher training.
In a notice dated October 2026, referenced UBDA/NOTICE/10/2026, the association said professional bus drivers would park their vehicles in protest against what it described as increasing financial and administrative burdens associated with badge renewals and training requirements.
The notice, addressed to the general public, was copied to the Uganda Bus Owners Association (UBOA), the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety of the Uganda Police Force.
UBDA argues that drivers’ salaries are insufficient to meet the recurring annual costs of renewing their badges and completing the required refresher training.
While acknowledging the importance of road safety, the association called for reforms to make refresher training more affordable and responsive to the needs of professional drivers.
“Road-safety training should be strengthened,” the notice states, adding that it should also be “practical, affordable and designed in consultation with the professional drivers who operate Uganda’s roads every day.”
The association described the planned withdrawal of services as a “collective form of peaceful industrial action” that would continue until its concerns receive meaningful engagement and resolution.
UBDA said the advance notice was intended to give bus owners, government authorities and passengers time to prepare for possible transport disruptions.
The association also acknowledged the government’s responsibility to regulate public transport and promote road safety, reaffirming its commitment to professional conduct, passenger safety and compliance with lawful requirements.
If the planned action proceeds, commuters and long-distance travellers could face disruptions, particularly on routes connecting towns and cities where buses are a major means of transport.
However, it remains unclear how many drivers will participate in the planned action, whether bus operators will suspend services, or what measures the Ministry of Works and Transport and traffic authorities may take to address the concerns.
