The Ugandan government on Wednesday ordered that all crew members of public service vehicles must be fully vaccinated or face the risk of not being able to operate.

“Every crew member of a public service vehicle which include a driver and a conductor or turn man and any other crew member must be fully vaccinated. We agreed with the transporters on that one and they are aware,” Transport minister General Edward Katumba Wamala said.

Wamala told journalists in the capital Kampala that traffic officers will be on hand to ensure compliance with the directive.

“We have also agreed with traffic (officers) who will be making spot checks. If they find the driver or turn man is not vaccinated, they can decide that the bus or taxi will not continue.”

Additionally, Wamala urged all persons using public transport to comply with existing health measures such as the wearing of face masks and use of alcohol-based sanitizers or hand washing.

Previously, a government directive announced at the end of last month had required all travellers using public transport to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination before being allowed to board vehicles.

However, Wamala noted that it may not be possible for operators to verify travellers’ status given the fact that it would be difficult for them to distinguish between genuine and fake vaccination cards.

Public transport in Uganda has been operating at 50 percent passenger capacity since June last year but President Yoweri Museveni recently announced a reopening of the economy and allowed public service vehicles to operate at full capacity.

He also cautioned them on raising prices because of school reopening season, these prices are supposed to be lowered to the previous price levels before covid19 effect