Kampala Taxi Drivers Face Alarming Mental Health Crisis Amid Harsh Working Conditions

Kampala’s bustling taxi parks come alive before dawn, where thousands of minibus drivers navigate chaotic traffic, pollution, and grueling schedules to ferry millions of passengers daily. About 15,000 such vehicles operate in the Kampala Metropolitan Area, with drivers often working from early morning into the night to meet daily targets set by vehicle owners.

A new study by Dr. Linda Jovia Kyomuhendo, a Master of Public Health graduate from Makerere University School of Public Health, uncovers a hidden crisis. In a survey of 422 drivers from major parks like Old, New, Kisenyi, Usafi, Namirembe, Nakawa, and Nateete, 82% reported significant stress, 70% anxiety, and 65.6% depression symptoms, assessed via the DASS-21 tool.

Key contributors include extended work hours, poor sleep (under seven hours nightly), prior road accidents, chronic illnesses, and financial strain from daily fees and levies like Shs720,000 annually. Vehicle owners face less anxiety than renters, highlighting economic pressures’ role.

KCCA data from 2019-2024 shows deadly roads, with 1,878 vulnerable road user deaths, including 281 linked to buses and minibuses on routes like Jinja Road and Entebbe Road. Police 2025 reports note rising crashes: 4,602 fatal, up 3.8% from 2024.

Experts like counselor Sylvia Akiding and mental health coach Angela Nsimbi warn that untreated stress leads to aggression, substance abuse, and impaired driving judgment, posing risks in a congested city prone to hazards like flooding. Dr. Kyomuhendo urges treating this as both an occupational and transport policy priority.

This article is based on a report from the Daily Monitor: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/why-kampala-s-taxi-drivers-remain-a-ticking-time-bomb-5427258.