Uganda’s push for safer roads has entered a decisive new phase, with the Ministry of Works and Transport officially taking over and rolling out mandatory vehicle inspections nationwide. After years of delays and public concern over unroadworthy vehicles, the government is now firmly in charge of ensuring that every vehicle operating on public roads meets minimum safety and environmental standards.
The inspection exercise, which had previously been delegated to Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS), is now being implemented directly by the Ministry. According to Kharim Kibuuka, the Acting Vehicle Inspector at the Ministry of Works and Transport, the rollout began on Monday with government vehicles and will continue until February. Commercial vehicles, including goods and passenger service vehicles, will follow from March, with private vehicles inspected thereafter. Members of the public who wish to have their vehicles inspected earlier are free to do so.
The move is part of a broader national road safety strategy aimed at reducing crashes caused by mechanical failure and lowering air pollution from poorly maintained vehicles. Uganda has experienced rapid motorisation in recent years, but this growth has been accompanied by a rise in unroadworthy vehicles, contributing to crashes, congestion, and environmental degradation.
Vehicle inspections will be comprehensive, covering external body condition, lighting and visibility, internal safety features, side-slip, suspension and brake performance, emissions, undercarriage condition, and headlamp alignment. Vehicles that pass inspection will be issued a certificate of fitness, which will be mandatory for operating on public roads.
Inspection fees have been set at Shs5,500 for motorcycles, Shs50,000 for saloon and SUV vehicles, Shs49,000 for passenger service vehicles and taxis, and Shs60,000 for heavy vehicles and buses. If a vehicle fails its first inspection, owners will be given 30 days to rectify the faults and return for a free re-inspection.
The government has taken over seven former SGS inspection facilities located in Namave (Jinja Road), Kawanda (Bombo Road), Nabbingo (Masaka Road), Namulanda (Entebbe Road), and in the cities of Mbale, Mbarara, and Gulu. Plans are underway to expand inspection centres further across the country. To improve efficiency and reduce congestion at facilities, the Ministry is introducing technology-driven systems and encouraging motorists to book inspection appointments in advance.
Inspection frequency will vary by vehicle type. Commercial vehicles will be inspected annually, while private SUVs will undergo inspection every two years. Non-compliant vehicles risk being impounded, with owners facing possible legal action. Vehicles found on the road in unsafe condition may also be compelled to undergo immediate re-inspection.
Works and Transport Minister Gen Katumba Wamala has called on motorists to comply, stressing that the initiative is critical to reversing Uganda’s high rate of road accidents and protecting lives. He also confirmed that the Electronic Penalty System (EPS), which was suspended due to technical and regulatory mismatches—particularly between speed limits and camera enforcement—will be reintroduced after refinement to ensure fairness, affordability, and accuracy.
With direct government control, expanded infrastructure, and stricter enforcement, mandatory vehicle inspection is now positioned as a central pillar in Uganda’s effort to build safer roads, cleaner air, and a more accountable transport system.