A new study has found high levels of psychological distress among minibus taxi drivers operating in Kampala’s major taxi parks, revealing an overlooked occupational health challenge in Uganda’s informal transport sector.
The research, conducted by Linda Kyomuhendo Jovia, a medical doctor and graduate of the Master of Public Health programme at Makerere University School of Public Health, surveyed 422 drivers across seven major taxi parks in the city.
The findings show that nearly two-thirds of drivers screened positive for symptoms of depression (65.6%), more than 70 percent reported symptoms of anxiety, and about 82 percent experienced significant stress.
The study focused on drivers working in Kampala’s busiest taxi parks, including Old, New, Kisenyi, Usafi, Namirembe, Nakawa, and Nateete, hubs that form the backbone of the city’s public transport system.
Uganda’s road transport network is dominated by motorcycles and 14-seater minibus taxis. About 15,000 taxis operate in the Kampala Metropolitan Area alone, transporting millions of passengers daily. Yet little research has previously examined the mental health of the drivers who operate them.
Kyomuhendo said the study sought to understand how occupational pressures, lifestyle factors, and health conditions influence drivers’ mental well-being.
“They are important in Uganda’s transport industry,” she said. “Yet they seem to be overlooked in our society.”
The research used structured interviews and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), a widely used screening tool in mental health research, to assess drivers’ psychological health.
Drivers reported a range of pressures tied to their work environment. Long working hours, financial stress, sleep deprivation, and exposure to road accidents emerged as major factors linked to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Many drivers begin work before dawn and spend long hours navigating congested roads, pollution, unpredictable traffic patterns, and competition for passengers.
Economic pressure also plays a role. Drivers who rent vehicles or pay daily remittance fees to taxi owners reported significantly higher anxiety levels than those who owned their vehicles. Annual levies and other operational costs add to the financial strain.
Sleep deprivation emerged as one of the strongest predictors of psychological distress. Drivers who consistently slept fewer than seven hours per night were far more likely to experience anxiety and stress.
Road accidents also had a notable impact. Drivers who had experienced a crash in the previous year were significantly more likely to report symptoms of depression.
Kyomuhendo said her interest in the topic developed while commuting around Kampala during her studies, where she frequently observed tensions between passengers, conductors, and drivers.
Arguments inside taxi parks were common, often followed by the same question in Luganda: “Oba abasajja ba takisi baabaki?” loosely translated as “What is wrong with taxi men?”
The question, she said, raised a deeper issue: whether the behaviour often attributed to impatience or aggression might instead reflect underlying psychological strain.
Fieldwork inside the taxi parks revealed a demanding work environment.
“The atmosphere was survival for the fittest,” Kyomuhendo said.
During interviews, drivers often described stress indirectly. Some joked about alcohol use or personal relationships as coping mechanisms, while others spoke about financial struggles or untreated health conditions.
The research also highlights the broader road safety context in which taxi drivers operate.
Data from the Kampala Capital City Authority shows that between 2019 and 2024, 1,878 vulnerable road users—including pedestrians, motorcyclists, and cyclists—were killed in crashes involving motor vehicles in the city. Buses and minibuses were linked to 281 of those deaths.
Kyomuhendo said the findings suggest that driver mental health should be treated as both an occupational health issue and a transport policy concern.
Mental distress can affect concentration, reaction time, and decision-making—abilities essential for safe driving in a congested city.
“If drivers are anxious or sleep-deprived, there is a risk they may struggle to follow traffic rules or respond quickly to hazards,” she said.
The research also points to the persistent stigma surrounding men’s mental health.
Few drivers openly described themselves as depressed or anxious. Instead, stress often surfaced through humour, silence, or indirect references.
“Men’s mental health is a serious public health issue that should not be ignored,” Kyomuhendo said.
She recommends stronger occupational protections for drivers, targeted mental health awareness campaigns, and greater collaboration between health authorities and transport regulators.