The Military Police Brigade and Traffic Police have launched a new nationwide operation to impound numberless, unregistered and unlicensed motor vehicles.
According to the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, Col. Chris Magezi, Operation Tekeleza Sheria began on Tuesday in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area and will be extended to other parts of the country.
“The operation will also target vehicles with covered number plates, some of which belong to members of the security forces and MDAs. The drivers of such vehicles will be arrested and prosecuted in courts of law for gross violation of traffic regulations,” the statement said
Magezi said the joint teams will target vehicles with covered number plates, including some belonging to security personnel and government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He said members of the security services found violating traffic regulations, including driving without valid driving permits or licences, will also be arrested.
The army has also warned that civilian-registered vehicles found carrying military stores, including military jackets and other military paraphernalia, will be impounded.
“The drivers or owners of the vehicles will be arrested and court-martialed in accordance with the UPDF Act 2025 as amended. We appeal to the public to cooperate,” Magezi said.
The operation follows a similar joint crackdown launched in March this year, when snap checkpoints were mounted on major roads in Kampala to enforce traffic regulations and address road indiscipline.
At the time, the UPDF said the operation would continue for as long as necessary to enforce discipline and address criminal activities linked to road users.
The operation attracted mixed reactions, with some critics alleging that the military deployment was partly intended to apprehend National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, following the January 2026 general elections.
Kampala Metropolitan Police, however, said the checkpoints were intended to address indiscipline among motorists.
A similar operation was conducted in 2022 to tackle impunity among government officials and security personnel on the roads. It targeted motorists who displayed military or police jackets on vehicle seats, a practice authorities said was being used to intimidate other road users and law enforcement officers.
The 2022 operation followed growing cases of road indiscipline, including the shooting of Traffic Constable Robert Mukebezi by a soldier in Nakawa, which resulted in the amputation of his leg.
The crackdown resulted in the issuance of Express Penalty Scheme tickets and the impounding of vehicles. The UPDF says the latest operation builds on these previous efforts and is intended to enforce compliance with traffic regulations across the country-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
