Kampala taxi crackdown spurs vehicle repairs in Kisenyi

The Independent August 29, 2026 Business, NEWS Leave a comment

Kampala, Uganda | URN | A crackdown on poorly maintained taxis has triggered a surge in demand for vehicle repairs in Kampala’s Kisenyi area.

The surge has left some garages with backlogs as owners race to rehabilitate their vehicles and return them to the road.

The crackdown on taxis in dangerous mechanical condition, commonly known as Ganyegenya, began on Monday following directives from the Ministry of Works and Transport aimed at improving road safety.

At South Africa Garage on Mwanga II Road in Kisenyi, the number of taxi owners seeking repairs had increased since the enforcement operation began.

Samuel Ssebunya, the garage manager, said the facility is struggling to cope with the increased demand, with several taxis awaiting repairs.

He said most of the vehicles require bodywork, repair or replacement of passenger seats, repainting and fixing of lights.

Ssebunya said the increased workload has been compounded by frequent power outages in Kisenyi, which have disrupted repairs that depend on electricity.

He said some taxi owners were caught unprepared by the enforcement operation and are struggling to raise money for the required repairs.

According to Ssebunya, some owners have resorted to borrowing money, while others have negotiated with mechanics to pay for the work in instalments.

He said garages are also facing difficulties obtaining spare parts and other materials, including automotive paint, particularly when customers have not yet paid for ongoing work.

Ssebunya said the combination of increased demand and unreliable power supply has slowed the rehabilitation process.

He said the garage can complete several vehicles on a normal day, but is currently managing to fully repair and return about five taxis to their owners on a good day.

Ssebunya attributed some of the mechanical problems to poor road conditions, which he said contribute to frequent damage to the vehicles.

Derrick Ssemmanda, a taxi driver, said drivers have for a long time reported mechanical faults to vehicle owners, but some owners have been reluctant to undertake repairs as long as the taxis can still operate.

He welcomed the enforcement operation, saying poorly maintained vehicles pose a risk to passengers and other road users.

Traffic police began enforcing the crackdown on Monday following directives from the Ministry of Works and Transport.

The operation is being conducted under the direction of Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama as part of efforts to remove dangerously maintained vehicles from the roads and improve road safety.