Commuters who usually board taxis along the Namboole–Naalya stretch of the Northern Bypass were today Monday left stranded as traffic police launched a major operation to stop what they described as illegal taxi parks.
Taxis often load passengers at several points along the bypass — including under the Kyaliwajjala–Kireka flyover, Agenda near Bethany High School, Kamuli Road walkover, and Naalya – heading toward Kalerwe, Bwaise, Namungoona, and up to Busega roundabout.
However, for most of the day, heavily deployed traffic officers, at least five at each location and backed by motorcycles, prevented vehicles from stopping to pick up or drop off passengers.
Even private cars were not allowed to stop. This left several commuters stranded, with some walking long distances to spots beyond police visibility to catch taxis or motorcycles. Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura said the operation follows earlier directives banning illegal taxi stages along the Northern Bypass, which obstruct traffic flow and endanger passengers.
“We are implementing directives that were given some time back prohibiting illegal parks along the Northern Bypass because they interfere with traffic flow and expose passengers to danger,” Kananura said.
About a year ago, the now-rationalized Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) warned that illegal stages were contributing to avoidable crashes along the Northern Bypass. The most dangerous locations cited included Agenda near Bethany High School, Kiwatule, Kisaasi, Kyebando–Kisalosalo, and Mulago, many of which operate near flyovers or pedestrian walkovers.
Kananura said many of these illegal taxi stops pose serious risks to passengers who are forced to cross metal barriers to board vehicles.
“We are not only addressing traffic flow and road crashes in these operations but also passenger safety,” he emphasized. “We have several reports of passengers who have been robbed in taxis they board from illegal stages. Some are even robbed before boarding, and the vehicles drive off.”
Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, minister for Works and Transport, reaffirmed that the Northern Bypass was not designed to accommodate public transport stages.
“There are no gazetted taxi stages on the Northern Bypass,” Katumba said.
However, he did not provide a clear alternative for the many taxis and passengers who rely on these stops between Busega and Bweyogerere. Kananura said police will maintain deployments along the bypass to deter taxis from operating at undesignated points.
“We will continue to have officers deployed at illegal taxi parks on the Northern Bypass to protect passengers from speeding vehicles and criminals,” he said.
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