The Ministry of Works and Transport has suspended YY Coaches for 15 days following two serious road crashes—one of which left three people dead and a bus engulfed in flames along the Mukono–Katosi–Jinja highway.
In a letter dated May 12, 2025, State Minister for Transport Fred Byamukama cited reckless driving and “managerial concerns” as key factors behind the move.
The ministry directed the company to halt all operations starting 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 13, while investigations proceed.
“These two crashes point to recklessness by your drivers on the road and failure to control the conduct of your drivers,” Byamukama wrote to the Managing Director of YY Coaches.
The first crash occurred on May 5 when a bus—registration UAV 701C—overturned and caught fire in Najja village, Buikwe District.
Three passengers died on the spot. Police reports blamed the driver, who fled and remains at large.
The second incident involved bus UAX 852F, which crashed in Ayango on the Pakwach–Arua highway while en route to Yumbe. Police say the driver lost control while overtaking, causing a serious accident.
As part of the suspension, YY Coaches is required to:
- Ground its entire fleet for inspection
- Present all drivers’ documentation, including records of refresher training
- Produce the drivers involved in both crashes
- Issue a public statement detailing what went wrong and how the company plans to improve safety
The move affects YY Coaches’ extensive network across eastern, northern, and northwestern Uganda, including major routes to Arua, Gulu, Yumbe, Kitgum, Moroto, Mbale, Busia, and Soroti, as well as cross-border trips to South Sudan.
YY Coaches is particularly active on the Arua and Karamoja corridors, offering both passenger and cargo transport—often through overnight and early-morning trips.
This isn’t the company’s first clash with transport authorities:
- In August 2019, it suspended operations voluntarily after 14 people died in two weeks
- In August 2020, it was ordered to retest all drivers following three crashes in one week
- In 2017, thirteen buses were impounded in Jinja over non-compliance with digital route monitoring requirements
Despite its spotty safety record, YY remains one of Uganda’s busiest long-haul bus services. Authorities say the latest suspension aims to protect public safety and compel internal reform.
As of Monday night, YY Coaches had not issued any public response.
