By The government has announced that the long-awaited mandatory vehicle inspection will officially commence in July 2025, starting with passenger service vehicles (PSVs) and goods transport vehicles, including trucks.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, confirmed that preparations are in the final stages to meet the set deadline.
“By July, we will launch the mandatory vehicle inspection program, beginning with public transport vehicles and cargo trucks. This is part of our broader initiative to improve road safety and reduce vehicle-related accidents,” Gen. Katumba stated.
Background and Transition
The implementation of mandatory vehicle inspections has been a topic of discussion for several years. Initially, the government had engaged SGS Uganda Ltd., a private company, to manage the inspections. However, following concerns raised in Parliament, the decision to privatize the process was halted. In response, the Cabinet directed that the government take over the responsibility of vehicle inspections to ensure greater accountability and efficiency.
As a result, earlier this year, the Ministry of Works and Transport officially assumed control of all vehicle inspection centers, previously operated by SGS. These facilities, located in Nabbingo, Namanve, Kawanda, and Namulanda, are now under direct government management.
Current Preparations and Implementation Plan
Gen. Katumba Wamala revealed that extensive preparations are underway to ensure a smooth rollout of the inspection program. This includes:
- Training police officers and ministry staff on vehicle inspection procedures.
- Public awareness campaigns to educate vehicle owners and drivers on inspection requirements.
- Testing and calibration of inspection equipment to meet safety standards.
“Before we launch the inspections, we will first train personnel, educate the public, and ensure all systems are ready. Once the program is fully operational in July, no vehicle will be allowed on the road without undergoing a thorough inspection,” Gen. Katumba emphasized.
He further cautioned that older vehicles that fail inspection will not be granted Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licenses, meaning they will no longer be permitted to operate.
“Many of the old taxis you see today may not return to the road if they fail to meet the required safety standards. Our goal is to ensure that only roadworthy vehicles are allowed to operate, thereby improving road safety for all road users.”
Uganda’s Commitment to Global Road Safety Goals
Gen. Katumba Wamala also spoke about Uganda’s participation in the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, held in Marrakech, Morocco, from February 18–20, 2025. The conference, attended by transport ministers from over 100 countries, focused on strategies to reduce road crashes and fatalities by 50% by the year 2030.
With the theme “Commit to Life,” the event brought together global leaders and experts to accelerate progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on road safety.
Gen. Katumba reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to achieving this target.
“We are dedicated to preserving lives on the road—whether you are a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver. The high number of road crashes and fatalities we report each year is unacceptable. As a country, we are ranked 10th in Africa in terms of road accidents, which is negatively impacting our economy. It is time we take serious action to reverse this trend,” he stated.
Collaboration with the Private Sector
The Minister also highlighted plans to engage multinational corporations and private sector stakeholders in the fight against road accidents.
“Ensuring road safety is a collective responsibility. We need to bring in new players, including private companies, to support government efforts in reducing road carnage. Strengthening collaborations with the private sector will be essential in implementing long-term road safety measures.”
With just a few months remaining before the mandatory inspections begin, the government is urging all vehicle owners, especially those operating commercial transport vehicles, to ensure their vehicles are in roadworthy condition ahead of the July deadline.
