As schools officially break off for second term holidays on August 21, the Uganda Police Force and the Ministry of Education and Sports have implored schools to adhere to the new road safety guidelines while transporting learners, which officials say will guarantee the safety of about 15 million learners.
The ministry warned that failure by schools to follow the prescribed guidelines will lead to the impounding of vehicles and the arrest and prosecution of offenders.
The 25 road safety guidelines are contained in the Basic Requirements and Minimum Standards for Schools, which the ministry released in May 2025.
The emphasis came after the Uganda Police Force also issued guidelines to schools on Monday, August 11.
Dr Denis Mugimba, the Education ministry public relations officer, told The Daily Monitor yesterday that the guidelines are aimed at ensuring that learners remain safe on roads.
Stakeholders, including road safety campaigners and private school owners welcomed the guidelines, which they described as timely, but they implored the government to come up with a comprehensive road safety guideline that will serve all the time.
“To ensure that the road is safe for more than 15 million learners in primary and secondary education who are breaking off for holidays, all vehicles transporting learners to and from school should have a valid Private Motor Omnibus (PMO) licence with JOV certification.
The ministry adds that the drivers list should be roadworthy with clearance from the police and Works ministry to be on the road.
Before transporting the learners, all vehicles transporting learners should be labelled with the school’s name while thin guidelines extending to learners who will walk home, as they should be escorted by a trusted caregiver.
Mr Hasadu Kirabira, the chairperson of the National Private Educational Institutions Association (NPEIA), said seeking the Works ministry and police permission is a temporary measure, calling for a permanent solution.
“We will not be frequenting the police and Works ministry to seek permission every time we want to move, because schools have their own programmes, so the ministry should look for a permanent solution,” he said.
Under human resources, the ministry is demanding that schools with vehicles have drivers who have appropriate valid driving permits for specific vehicles, a designated staff member with a letter of assignment indicating clear roles and responsibilities to accompany learners to and from, and clear code laid down for both the driver and transport assistant with clearly displayed identification badges.
“Vehicles found carrying an excessive number of learners beyond the recommended capacity will be impounded and their drivers arrested, according to the guidelines. According to the Works ministry, only 14 people are allowed to sit in a Toyota HiAce van. At the same time, minibuses carry up to 30 passengers and buses carry not more than 60 passengers.
On vehicles:
“Any other vehicles used to transport students, other than the designated school buses, must be mechanically sound, properly licensed and operated in full compliance with all traffic regulations and applicable safety requirements,” *the guidelines read in part.*
Schools are also required to have a policy on the transportation of learners, and learners should not be exposed to any verbal, audiovisual, or print media materials unrelated to learning.
Before a school transports a learner, the management is obligated under the new guidelines to seek written consent from the parents. The ministry has also set between 6am and 6pm as the only agreed time when learners should be transported.
Before transporting learners, schools are required to document full details of learners and all other people aboard, where a copy remains at school and the other with the driver. A logbook will also be maintained.
Other guidelines, which also affect the transportation of learners, especially during learning days, include parents approving plans of their children, maintenance of route charts and logbooks, and a regular roll call at boarding and dropping off of learners.
The guidelines come barely a month after a bus that was transporting close to 70 learners of King David Junior School crashed in Kyankwanzi, killing 24 learners.
The police on Monday released similar guidelines, saying school buses operating outside their usual authorised routes must obtain the necessary permission from the Ministry of Works and Transport before transporting learners.
Police have also directed that all vehicles intending to transport learners must have valid inspection reports and comply with all applicable vehicle inspection requirements.
Further, the traffic police also require school transport services to be undertaken between 6am and 6pm. “Drivers must strictly observe all traffic laws and regulations. They must not engage in speeding, dangerous overtaking, overloading, dangerous loading, reckless driving or any other traffic violations,” the guidelines read in part.
They add: “Any other vehicles used to transport students, other than the designated school buses, must be mechanically sound, properly licensed and operated in full compliance with all traffic regulations and applicable safety requirements.”
Road safety experts welcomed the new move but called for more, noting that there is need for a permanent solution.
“Everyone should be involved including parents, drivers, among others. For example, we should have a specialised training for people transporting learners the same way we have that for people who transport specialised goods,” said Mr Sam Bambanza, a road safety advocate and the founder of Hope for Victims of Traffic Accidents (HOVITA).
He added: “Vehicles need to undergo routine inspection not only at times like these when learners are breaking off because safety should be continuous, not periodic. We should also enforce guidelines so that the traffic police do what they are intended to do.”
The guidelines
All vehicles transporting learners to and from school should have a valid Private Motor Omnibus (PMO) licence with IOV certification.
The school van should be roadworthy.
Passenger vehicles should seek clearance for roadworthiness from the appropriate authority.
All vehicles transporting learners should be labelled with the school’s name.
The school should have a driver with an appropriate valid driving permit class for a vehicle.
It should have a designated staff member with a letter of assignment indicating clear roles and responsibilities to accompany learners to and from.
The driver and the transport assistant shall be in uniform and always display their identification badges.
Vehicles carrying learners should adhere to the recommended vehicle capacity.
Schools should have a policy for transportation of learners.
Learners should not be exposed to any verbal, audio visual, or print media materials that are not related to learning.
The parent shall give written consent for the learner to be transported.
Learners should be transported during the daytime between 6 am and 6 pm.
A record of learners transported should be kept with the transporter, and a copy left at school.
A logbook to be maintained.
Tours to be approved by parents.
A route chart and logbook should always be maintained.
A roll call at boarding and dropping off should be done. Police guidelines:
School buses operating outside their usual authorised routes must obtain the necessary permission from the Ministry of Works and Transport.
All vehicles must have valid inspection reports and comply with all applicable vehicle inspection requirements.
School transport journeys must be undertaken between 6:00am and 6pm.
Vehicles must have all mandatory documentation and requirements, including valid PSV documentation, PMO, driver badges, valid driving licences and any other applicable documents.
Drivers must strictly observe all traffic laws and regulations. They must not engage in speeding, dangerous overtaking, overloading, dangerous loading, reckless driving or any other traffic violations.
Any other vehicles used to transport students, other than the designated school buses, must be mechanically sound, properly licensed, and operated in full compliance with all traffic regulations.
All journeys transporting students must be undertaken between 6am and 6pm, in accordance with the applicable road safety requirements.