Vehicles must also have all mandatory documentation, including valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) documentation, PMO, driver badges, valid driving licences and other applicable documents.
The Uganda Police Force has warned school administrators, transport operators, drivers, parents and guardians to prioritise the safety of children as schools begin breaking off for the holiday.
Through the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, police said all school transportation arrangements must comply with road safety laws and existing guidelines to protect students from road crashes and other dangers.
Police noted that some schools use buses to transport students to designated pick-up points, where they are collected by their parents or guardians, and cautioned that such journeys must be conducted within the law.
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According to the traffic directorate, school buses operating outside their usual authorised routes must obtain the necessary permission from the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Police further directed that all vehicles used to transport students must have valid inspection reports and comply with vehicle inspection requirements.
The traffic directorate also reminded schools and transport operators that students transportation journeys must be conducted between 6:00am and 6:00pm.
Vehicles must also have all mandatory documentation, including valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) documentation, PMO, driver badges, valid driving licences and other applicable documents.
Police warned drivers against speeding, dangerous overtaking, overloading, dangerous loading, reckless driving and other traffic violations while transporting students.
“Any person found violating these requirements will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law and existing guidelines,” police warned.
The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety also said vehicles other than designated school buses may only be used to transport students if they are mechanically sound, properly licensed and operated in compliance with all traffic and safety requirements.
Police emphasised that permission or clearance granted for a particular journey does not exempt transport operators from meeting other road safety requirements.
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“All vehicles must remain roadworthy, properly licensed and operated by qualified and compliant drivers,” the traffic directorate said.
The directorate said it will continue conducting intelligence-led and targeted enforcement operations to ensure vehicles transporting children are safe, roadworthy and operated in accordance with the law.
Police urged school owners and administrators, transport operators, drivers, parents and guardians to take responsibility for the safety of children during the holiday travel period.
The force said its priority remains the protection of life and warned that the law will take its course against those who fail to comply with the safety requirements.
