Ministry of Works and Transport makes life jackets mandatory on inland waterways

The Ministry of Works and Transport issued Marine Notice No. 001/2026, signed by Minister of State Julius Maganda Wandera, requiring boat operators to carry life jackets and passengers on outboard-engine boats to wear them throughout voyages. According to the Daily Monitor, the notice also restricts outboard-engine boats to sailing between 6:30am and 6:30pm and says unregistered boats will be impounded and offenders prosecuted. The ministry said the measures respond to strong monsoon winds that raise accident risk between July and October.