The ministry directed that dump trucks without valid inspection certificates would not be allowed to operate on public roads beyond the October 16 deadline.
A total of 423 taxis have failed mechanical fitness tests at Namanve and Kawanda under the ongoing Ganyegenya traffic police operation, raising concerns about the safety of public transport vehicles on Uganda’s roads.
The Ministry of Works and Transport said only 108 of the 531 taxis inspected, representing 20.3%, passed the tests, while 79.7% failed.
The taxis are among vehicles impounded by police during the Ganyegenya operation, launched by the ministry and enforced by the Uganda Police Force to remove mechanically unfit vehicles from public roads.
In a statement, ministry spokesperson Emanuel Ayinebyona said the inspections had uncovered several mechanical defects that rendered the vehicles unsafe for public transport.
The defects included faulty brakes, defective steering systems, worn-out tyres, failed suspension systems and malfunctioning lights.
Such defects can affect a vehicle’s ability to stop safely, maintain directional control and remain visible to other road users, increasing the risk of crashes and injuries to passengers, pedestrians and other motorists.
The ministry said the inspections formed part of broader efforts to enforce vehicle fitness requirements and improve road safety.
102 Dump Trucks Fail Mechanical Inspections
Meanwhile, the ministry’s mandatory inspection exercise for heavy dump trucks, including Sinotruk models, reached its deadline on Friday, October 16, following a 60-day period announced on August 17 in collaboration with the police.
The exercise was introduced in response to road crashes involving dump trucks, some of which have resulted in fatalities.
By October 15, a total of 492 dump trucks had undergone inspection. Of these, 390, representing 79.3%, passed, while 102, or 20.7%, failed.
The inspections cover critical safety components, including braking efficiency, steering systems, tyres, emissions, suspension, lighting and structural integrity.
The ministry directed that dump trucks without valid inspection certificates would not be allowed to operate on public roads beyond the October 16 deadline.
Joint enforcement operations by the ministry and police are expected to target vehicles operating without the required certification, with non-compliant trucks liable to impoundment.
However, inspections will continue for dump trucks operating within the Kampala Metropolitan Area before the exercise is extended to other parts of the country.
The ministry has urged owners and operators of dump trucks that have not yet complied with the directive to present their vehicles for inspection at designated centres in Namanve and Kawanda.
The inspection results highlight persistent mechanical safety concerns among both public transport taxis and heavy commercial vehicles, underscoring the importance of enforcing vehicle fitness standards to reduce road crashes.
