“This initiative is about saving lives and ensuring that passengers travel in vehicles that are safe and roadworthy,” Byamukama said.
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The government has announced a 60-day nationwide vehicle inspection exercise targeting bus operators, in a decisive move to improve road safety and eliminate accidents caused by mechanically unsound vehicles.
The directive was issued by the Minister of State for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, who confirmed that the exercise will run from April 8 to June 8, 2026.
Under the arrangement, bus operators have been granted a 60-day window to voluntarily present their vehicles for inspection and roadworthiness certification.
Authorities say the exercise is intended to ensure that only mechanically sound vehicles are allowed to operate on Uganda’s roads.
The Ministry of Works and Transport revealed that the inspection will begin with buses operating along the Northern and Eastern routes, citing their high traffic volumes and significance to the country’s transport network.
The phased rollout is expected to help inspectors manage the process efficiently while addressing the most critical areas first.
Officials noted that mechanical failure remains a major contributor to road crashes, making stricter enforcement of vehicle standards necessary.
“This initiative is about saving lives and ensuring that passengers travel in vehicles that are safe and roadworthy,” Byamukama said.
Operators who fail to comply within the specified period risk enforcement action once the voluntary phase ends. The government has urged all bus owners to take advantage of the window to avoid penalties and ensure their vehicles meet the required standards.
The ministry further disclosed that the exercise will later be extended to include trucks and trailers, which have also been implicated in serious road accidents, especially on highways.
While transport stakeholders have largely welcomed the move as timely, some operators have expressed concerns about the potential cost implications and operational disruptions during the inspection period.
However, government insists the measure is necessary, emphasizing that safer vehicles will translate into fewer accidents, reduced loss of life, and improved confidence in the public transport system.
The campaign underscores a broader message from authorities: safer vehicles mean safer road users and safer journeys for all.
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