Bus Drivers Pause Strike Plans for Government Dialogue

Bus drivers have decided to halt a planned nationwide sit-down strike, originally slated to begin on Monday. This decision comes after a series of meetings with representatives from the police, the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), and bus company owners.

The drivers had voiced significant grievances concerning the process of obtaining driving badges, the imposition of traffic penalties, and broader welfare concerns. According to Ms. Khadijah Nakakande, spokesperson for the MoWT, the issues presented by the drivers are complex and involve multiple agencies, necessitating further consultation.

“It is not something you can resolve or agree on in one day because it involves many agencies. It is something we are going to look into with the help of other concerned bodies, and they will get back to them,” Ms. Nakakande stated.

The Chairman of the Uganda Bus Drivers Association (UBDA), Mr. Yunus Kiggundu, confirmed the suspension of the strike, emphasizing the commitment to exploring dialogue. The drivers agreed to pause their industrial action after assurances that their concerns would be escalated to higher authorities within the government for review.

Last week’s directive from the MoWT mandating badge renewals, which include a one-week refresher driving course, had been a major catalyst for the planned strike. This measure was introduced in response to a notable increase in bus-related road crashes and fatalities, as indicated by a 2025 police report which documented 437 bus crashes, 105 of them fatal.

Drivers have highlighted delays in badge issuance, sometimes exceeding a month, leading to periods of unemployment. They also raised concerns about the cost and transparency of the badge renewal process. Bus owners, represented by Mr. Brian Kwezira of the United Bus Owners Association, acknowledged that the new regulations and delays in badge issuance are impacting their operations and transport schedules.

Both government officials and bus owners have committed to further discussions with the drivers, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for Thursday to address these pressing issues.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)