A 21-year-old university student has become the youngest licensed black-cab driver in the United Kingdom, four years after relocating from Uganda. Bahrain Mujagata, a computer science undergraduate at Queen Mary University of London, successfully passed the demanding Knowledge test in December 2025. However, licensing regulations prevented him from carrying passengers until he reached the minimum age of 21 on March 26, 2026.

Originally from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, Mujagata had been working at a fast-food restaurant before transitioning into taxi driving. He decided to leave his job at McDonald’s to focus on taxi work, valuing the flexibility the profession offers alongside his academic commitments. “It made perfect sense as a part-time job. I don’t have to commit to any shifts or schedules, or ask for time off,” he said.

The Knowledge test, a rigorous examination that requires memorizing thousands of London streets, routes, and landmarks, posed particular challenges for Mujagata. He noted that pronunciation issues could complicate recall, explaining that slight variations in how a street name is pronounced might be mistaken for a completely different location.

While Mujagata is pursuing a career in cybersecurity engineering, he intends to maintain his taxi driving as a backup plan. His unique experience highlights the diverse career paths pursued by students balancing education and work in London.