The Ugandan government has suspended the operations of YY Coaches, one of the country’s most prominent long-distance bus operators, following two serious crashes that have reignited concerns over road safety and compliance within the transport sector.
Announcing the decision on Tuesday, State Minister for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, said the company would cease operations for at least 15 days beginning at 7:00 PM on May 13.
“I want to announce to the country that we are suspending the operations of YY buses in Uganda for 15 days,” said Mr Byamukama. “The reason is that they have reported two accidents, one of which was fatal. The driver is on the run. We also have one known passenger reported missing.”
The suspension follows a deadly incident on May 6 on the Katosi-Nyenga Road in Buikwe District, where a YY bus overturned and caught fire after the driver reportedly attempted to swerve around a motorcyclist. The crash left four confirmed dead and over 30 others with serious burns and broken limbs. Authorities say the number of fatalities may be higher, with fears that some passengers were burned beyond recognition.
A second crash involving a bus from the same company occurred two days later near Karuma Bridge in Ayago village, leaving several passengers injured.
According to preliminary investigations, speeding was a major contributing factor. Authorities are also probing reports that the bus involved in the Buikwe crash was carrying a flammable liquid—suspected to be waragi, a locally distilled alcoholic beverage—raising additional safety concerns.
“Transporting inflammable liquids on buses is prohibited,” Mr Byamukama emphasised, adding that further investigations are under way.
During the suspension period, all YY drivers will be subjected to government-administered road safety evaluations. The company is also required to submit its buses for mechanical inspection, provide documentation proving the accreditation of its drivers, and outline its schedule for refresher training.
This is not the first time YY Coaches has come under regulatory scrutiny. In August 2020, police intervened following three separate crashes in one week, prompting mandatory retesting of drivers. The year before, the company voluntarily halted services after 14 people were killed in a span of two weeks. In 2017, 13 of its buses were impounded in Jinja after failing to comply with digital route monitoring regulations.
Despite repeated safety lapses, the company remains one of Uganda’s busiest transport providers. Officials say the latest action is intended to safeguard public safety and enforce accountability.
Meanwhile, the family of Canon Jimmy Musimbi, chairperson of the Manafwa District Service Commission, is still searching for answers after he reportedly died in the Buikwe crash. His body has yet to be located, raising further questions about the total number of victims. The family is reportedly considering legal action against the company.
The Bishop of Mbale Diocese, Rt Rev. John Wilson Nandah, has joined calls for a full forensic investigation into the incident.
As of Tuesday, YY Coaches had not released a public statement in response to the government’s decision.
