Justine Kasule Lumumba
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Government has directed that all school transport vehicles in Uganda will henceforth be painted yellow as part of sweeping reforms aimed at improving the safety, identification and regulation of vehicles transporting learners across the country.
The directive is contained in a joint government statement issued following the Kapchorwa School Bus accident, in which the Government announced a raft of measures designed to strengthen school transport safety and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Addressing the media, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, said the decision forms part of broader efforts to ensure that school buses are easily distinguishable from other vehicles and can be monitored more effectively by both the public and enforcement agencies.
“We have taken note of the unfortunate accident involving school pupils in Kapchorwa. As government, we remain focused on ensuring that such incidents are prevented through stronger regulation, better enforcement and improved safety standards for all school transport services,” Lumumba said.
She explained that the reforms are intended to make school transport safer while enabling quicker identification of vehicles carrying children.
Among the key measures announced is the requirement that every school bus must be painted yellow, replacing the different colours currently used by schools across the country.
According to Lumumba, the standardisation will make it easier for traffic officers, emergency responders and members of the public to immediately recognize vehicles transporting school children.
The minister said the Government is introducing a comprehensive package of reforms rather than relying on a single intervention.
“We are introducing a number of measures that will improve the safety of learners on our roads. These include clear identification of school buses, stronger licensing requirements and improved supervision of school transport operators,” she said.
The statement also announced that every school bus driver must undergo proper training, possess valid driving permits and be licensed by the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Police before being authorised to transport learners.
Lumumba stressed that school transport should only be entrusted to competent drivers with the appropriate qualifications and experience.
She noted that the Government has observed cases where buses carrying children are driven by individuals who do not meet the required standards, exposing learners to unnecessary risks.
Under the new measures, every school bus will also be required to carry a designated bus attendant.
The attendant’s responsibility will include ensuring the orderly boarding and alighting of learners, maintaining discipline inside the vehicle and assisting in emergencies.
“This is not simply about compliance with regulations. It is about protecting our children. Every parent deserves the assurance that when a child boards a school bus, they will arrive safely at their destination,” Lumumba said.
Government has further directed that all school buses must be fitted with speed governors capable of limiting maximum travelling speeds.
Officials say speeding remains one of the major contributors to road crashes involving passenger vehicles and that limiting speeds will significantly reduce the severity of accidents whenever they occur.
The reforms also provide that school buses will undergo mandatory inspections every six months to ensure they remain mechanically sound.
Authorities say regular inspections will identify defects before they become dangerous, improving the overall roadworthiness of vehicles transporting learners.
Another major change announced by the Government is the mandatory installation of telematics systems.
The technology will enable authorities to monitor the location, speed and movement of school buses in real time, making it easier to detect dangerous driving and respond rapidly in emergencies.
Lumumba said technology would become an important component of Government’s efforts to improve road safety.
“Modern technology provides us with an opportunity to supervise school transport more effectively. We intend to utilise these systems to improve compliance and ensure that children are transported under the safest possible conditions,” she said.
In addition, the Government announced that schools will be required to establish clear safety management procedures governing the operation of buses and the transportation of learners.
The statement further revealed that every school bus will be required to carry emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and first-aid kits, to enable immediate response in the event of an accident or other emergency.
Lumumba also disclosed that Government intends to strengthen enforcement through closer collaboration between the Ministry of Works and Transport, Uganda Police Force, the Ministry of Education and Sports and other relevant agencies.
She said compliance with the new requirements would be monitored continuously and institutions failing to meet the standards would face appropriate sanctions.
The minister appealed to school proprietors, transport operators and parents to support the reforms, noting that road safety is a shared responsibility.
“The safety of our children cannot be compromised. Every stakeholder has a role to play in ensuring that school transport meets the highest possible standards. Government will continue working with all partners to protect the lives of learners,” Lumumba said.
