Works and Transport Minister, Gen Katumba Wamala speaking to people
Uganda’s government has announced that mandatory vehicle inspection will commence in July, marking a significant step towards enhancing road safety. Works and Transport Minister, Gen Katumba Wamala, revealed that preparations are in full swing to meet the July deadline.
The mandatory vehicle inspection has been a long time coming, with parliament previously blocking attempts to outsource the service to a private company. As a result, the cabinet directed the government to take charge of the inspection process. This year, the Ministry of Works and Transport assumed control of vehicle inspection services, previously managed by SGS Uganda Ltd.
To ensure a smooth rollout, the government is currently training police and ministry staff on the inspection procedures. “Before we start the inspections, we will educate the public, train personnel, and test the equipment,” Gen Katumba explained. “Come July, every vehicle will undergo inspection before being allowed on the road.”
Gen Katumba warned that vehicles deemed unfit for the road will not be issued a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) license. This move is expected to significantly reduce the number of old, unsafe taxis on the roads.
The minister also highlighted Uganda’s commitment to global road safety targets. At the fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech, Morocco, ministers from over 100 countries pledged to reduce road crashes and deaths by half by 2030. Gen Katumba reaffirmed Uganda’s dedication to this goal, emphasizing the need for collective action to preserve lives on the road.
“We are not doing well as a country, ranking 10th on the continent in terms of road safety,” Gen Katumba acknowledged. “It’s time for us to commit to changing this situation.” To achieve this, the government plans to engage new stakeholders, including multinational companies and private sector entities, in the fight for road safety
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