Taxi Operators Reject Police Annual Crime Report, Cite Lack of Transparency in Accident Data

The Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF) has dismissed the recently released 2024 Annual Crime Report by the Uganda Police Force, citing concerns over the lack of transparency and proper categorization of road accident statistics.

During a press briefing, the vice chairman of UTOF, Hajji Mayambala Mustafa, expressed dissatisfaction with how the police presented road accident data. According to the report, road crashes increased by 6.4% in 2024, but it failed to specify which category of road users contributed most to these accidents.

Hajji Mayambala argued that the police should have categorized accidents based on the type of transport involved—distinguishing between private and public transport—and further subdividing public transport into taxis, buses, and other commercial vehicles.

“Such a statistic is misleading. The police should have been wise enough to break down the data and show who exactly is responsible for these accidents instead of generalizing everything,” he stated.

He further noted that taxi operators are often unfairly blamed for most accidents on Ugandan roads, yet there is no concrete data to back this claim. He believes that if the police had properly analyzed and categorized accident statistics, it would have revealed a more accurate picture of road safety in the country.

Mayambala emphasized that taxi operators are committed to ensuring road safety by enforcing strict guidelines on vehicle maintenance and driver discipline.

“We do our best to ensure that our vehicles are in good condition and that our drivers are trained, but whenever accidents happen, the blame automatically falls on us. This is unfair and unacceptable,” he said.

He further called on the police to conduct thorough investigations before making blanket conclusions that could harm the reputation of the taxi industry.

The taxi operators also criticized the report for failing to indicate which roads registered the highest number of accidents. Mayambala suggested that the police should go beyond general statistics and provide location-specific data to help stakeholders address accident-prone areas.

“If the police were serious about reducing accidents, they would tell us which specific roads are most dangerous and why. That way, we can work together to find solutions,” he added.

UTOF has called upon the Uganda Police Force to improve its research and reporting methods by consulting key stakeholders in the transport sector before publishing such reports.

The operators have also urged the government to invest in better road infrastructure and enforce strict measures against reckless driving across all transport categories.

As the debate over the credibility of the 2024 Annual Crime Report continues, Ugandan road users remain eager for a more detailed and transparent breakdown of accident causes to ensure fair accountability and effective policy changes.