news 24 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)

Uganda Tightens Water Safety: Passengers Risk Shs4m Fine or Jail Without Life Jackets

New proposed regulations in Uganda will hold both boat operators and passengers legally accountable for water transport safety, introducing stiff fines and jail terms for failing to wear life jackets or operate unregistered vessels. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/new-regulations-target-water-transport-safety-passengers-face-shs4m-fine-or-jail-over-life-jackets-5644720

Passengers travelling on Ugandan water bodies without life jackets and operators of unregistered vessels could soon face stringent penalties under new safety regulations developed by the Ministry of Works and Transport. Set to come into force by January 2027, the rules are designed to operationalise the Inland Water Transport Act of 2021 and prevent tragedies similar to the 2018 MV Templar capsizing.

Speaking at the launch of the maritime safety documentary Balance the Boat, Mr Barnabas Twinomujuni from the Ministry’s Maritime Department explained that non-compliance will be treated as a serious crime. Operating an unregistered vessel could attract a fine of up to Shs4 million, equivalent to 200 currency points. Passengers who neglect to wear life jackets also put themselves and others at risk, facing potential fines ranging between Shs2 million and Shs4 million, or up to four years in prison.

The regulations follow extensive stakeholder consultations and will soon undergo legal clearance by the Solicitor General. Authorities emphasize that safety is a shared obligation on all water transport networks. Mr Justinian Kateera of the Uganda Drowning Prevention Programme noted that strict adherence to life jacket use and proper vessel capacities would have dramatically mitigated historical loss of life on Lake Victoria.

Meanwhile, new data presented at the Kampala Serena Hotel revealed a massive disparity in drowning statistics. Community-level research across five districts recorded 3,367 drowning incidents with over 1,000 fatalities over a three-year period, compared to just 187 cases captured in official police records over the same timeframe. Researchers highlighted that young males engaged in fishing and transport are disproportionately affected, with only three percent of victims wearing life jackets during accidents.

Survivors of past marine disasters have strongly backed the push for rigorous enforcement, mandatory vessel inspections, and strict passenger caps. Authorities hope the upcoming legal framework will foster a culture of vigilance and drastically improve maritime safety across Uganda.