Uganda Ministry of Education Rolls Out 25 New Holiday Travel Rules for Schools

As schools across Uganda prepare for the August 21 holiday break, a new set of 25 road safety guidelines has been mandated by the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Uganda Police Force. These regulations are designed to ensure the safety of the approximately 15 million learners who will be traveling to and from their homes.

Key directives include ensuring all vehicles used for student transport possess a valid Private Motor Omnibus (PMO) license with JOV certification, and that drivers are properly licensed and cleared by the police and Ministry of Works. Vehicles must also be clearly labeled with the school’s name.

Schools are now required to have a designated staff member to accompany learners, and both drivers and transport assistants must wear uniforms and display identification badges. The guidelines strictly enforce vehicle capacity limits, with overloaded vehicles subject to impoundment and driver arrest. For instance, a Toyota HiAce van is limited to 14 passengers, minibuses to 30, and buses to 60.

Furthermore, parental consent is now mandatory for student transportation, and all journeys must occur between 6 am and 6 pm. Detailed records of all transported learners, along with route charts and logbooks, must be maintained by both the school and the driver. The new rules also stipulate that learners should not be exposed to non-educational media content during travel.

These measures follow a recent tragic accident where a school bus crash in Kyankwanzi claimed the lives of 24 learners. Road safety advocates have welcomed the guidelines but urged for permanent, comprehensive solutions and continuous vehicle inspections, rather than periodic checks.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/education/25-new-holiday-travel-rules-for-schools-5556514