The Ugandan government has suspended the operations of YY Coaches for 15 days following a series of serious road accidents.
Fred Byamukama, the Minister of State for Works and Transport (Transport), made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter). He stated that the suspension was a joint decision by the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Police’s Directorate of Traffic, citing reckless driving as a major concern.
“Operations may restart after a full review,” he added
During the 15-day suspension, authorities will:
Inspect driver badges and permits
Review driver training records and trip schedules
Investigate the deployment of older or possibly unqualified drivers
The move comes in the wake of two fatal accidents involving YY buses:
May 5 Incident: A Scania bus (registration UAV 701C) overturned near Makindu Village on the Kisoga–Nyenga Road in Buikwe District. The bus, en route from Katosi to Jinja, caught fire after the crash, killing three passengers.
Pakwach–Arua Crash: Another YY bus (UAX 852F) crashed at Ayango while traveling to Yumbe. According to police, the driver lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle.
This is not the first time YY Coaches has been under scrutiny:
August 2019: The company temporarily suspended operations after 14 passengers died in two weeks due to multiple crashes. Management held a crisis meeting and pledged improved safety measures.
August 2020: Police mandated new driving tests for all YY drivers after three crashes occurred in one week.
2017: Thirteen YY buses were seized in Jinja for non-compliance with digital route monitoring regulations set by the Transport Licensing Board.
Despite its troubled history, YY Coaches remains one of Uganda’s busiest long-distance transport operators. The company runs routes across eastern, northern, and northwestern Uganda—including destinations such as Arua, Yumbe, Gulu, Kitgum, Lira, Moroto, Kaabong, Mbale, Soroti, Busia, Malaba, and Kotido. It also serves Nimule and Juba in South Sudan.
Known for night and early-morning travel, especially along the Arua and Karamoja corridors, YY buses carry both passengers and cargo.
