Vehicle inspections restart in Uganda following TRUE recommendations
Uganda has restarted its mandatory vehicle inspection program to address poor air quality, particularly in the capital region.
A core recommendation from the TRUE Initiative’s real-world emissions testing campaign in Kampala, which was the first in Africa, included the implementation of a robust maintenance and inspection program to identify high-emitters.
The Ugandan Ministry of Works and Transport announced in August that the mandatory routine vehicle inspection program will reactivate, testing vehicle emissions and safety measures particularly in Kampala, where air quality kills approximately 1 in 5 adults.
The maintenance program will restart in phases: government vehicles were the first to require inspections, starting earlier this month, following which the program will extend to the wider public and private transport sectors. High-use vehicles like trucks will be subject to annual inspections, while non-commercial vehicles will undertake testing once every two years.
The cost of inspections has also been reduced to further encourage public buy-in: passenger cars and taxis will cost around 40,000 Ugandan shillings (just over USD $11), while motorcycles will cost 5,500 Ugandan shillings.
The Minister of Works and Transport, General Edward Katumba Wamala commented: “This marks a significant step in our journey toward safer roads and a more reliable transport system. Automated vehicle inspection will help ensure that all vehicles on our roads meet minimum mechanical and environmental standard. Just like the way you do a medical check-up, check your vehicle.”
The Ministry also announced that it is engaging key industry stakeholders in Uganda to inform a smooth rollout of the mandatory routine vehicle inspection program to wider fleet, including the Uganda Bus Owners Association (UBOA), Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF – Kampala), the Boda-Boda Association, and the Regional Lorry Drivers and Transporters Association.
The announcement is an encouraging step for Uganda as it works toward addressing its vehicle emissions and air quality challenges.
