KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport is set to launch mandatory vehicle and motorcycle inspections on July 1, 2025. The government has taken over operations from previous contractor SGS and reduced inspection fees, promising a more affordable and efficient process aimed at improving road safety and reducing emissions.
Eng. Karim Kibuuka, head of the Motor Vehicle Inspection Section at the ministry, said yesterday the initiative aims to ensure all vehicles meet required standards. He revealed that inspections will cover critical components such as vehicle transmission, lighting, electrical, exhaust systems and other mechanical aspects.
“The Government is scheduled to commence mandatory and periodic vehicle inspection services,” Kibuuka said. “The transport minister is due to make an official announcement about this, but as far as we are concerned, we should be ready by July 1, aligning with the new financial year. The purpose of inspection is to ensure all the vehicles plying our roads are roadworthy and not emitting dangerous fumes.”
Kibuuka acknowledged that while road safety encompasses various factors, vehicle inspection is a crucial component.
In March 2015, the government had contracted SGS to conduct routine mandatory vehicle inspections. SGS established several testing stations across the country and began operations in 2016, following the gazetting of Statutory Instrument No. 51 of 2016 and the Traffic and Road Safety (Motor Vehicle Inspection) Regulations.
However, the initiative faced public criticism due to high inspection fees, alleged bribery, influence peddling and a lack of clarity regarding the handover of services after the five-year exclusive contract expired. These concerns led Parliament to suspend the project in 2017.
In January, the government officially took over seven SGS Uganda Limited vehicle inspection facilities. Waiswa Bageya, permanent secretary at the works ministry, told local media that the government agreed to compensate SGS with 109.9 billion shillings (about $28.5 million USD) for its total investment.
Kibuuka confirmed that the government is now fully managing the inspection process. “We have seven vehicle inspection stations located in different parts of the country,” he said. “In Kampala, we have four stations: Namanve on Jinja Road, Namulanda on Entebbe Road, Kawanda on Bombo Road, and Nabbingo on Masaka Road. Upcountry stations are in Mbale, Gulu, and Mbarara. We plan to establish more stations upcountry depending on the need and demand.”
He added that all issues surrounding the cancellation of the SGS contract were investigated, and the contractor has been almost fully compensated. Kibuuka emphasized the competence of the government team, which includes staff from the works ministry, the Uganda Police Force’s Inspectorate of Vehicles, technical staff from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards, the National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U) and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
Kibuuka stated that the government has drastically reduced inspection fees to make them more affordable, particularly for motorcycle riders who previously cited cost as a barrier. The highest fee, for heavy goods vehicles and buses, has been reduced to 60,000 shillings (from 120,000 shillings). Small cars, which constitute the majority of vehicles, will pay between 40,000 and 45,000 shillings for inspections, required biennially. Commercial vehicles will be inspected annually.
A grace period of about one month will be granted for vehicles that fail the initial inspection to allow for defects to be rectified. Failure to return within this period will require another full inspection fee.
Kibuuka warned that non-compliant motorists will face penalties under the Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) for driving without a valid inspection certificate.
Allan Ssempebwa, senior communications officer at the works ministry, noted that vehicle inspections are part of multiple interventions to reduce vehicle-related accidents, alongside ensuring driver fitness, automating the EPS system and partnering with civil society for awareness campaigns.
Solomon Nsiimire, owner of Link Buses and chairperson of the Uganda Bus Owners Association (UBOA), welcomed the move, stating it would ensure vehicles meet safety and environmental standards.
However, Ronny Mayanja, a car dealer, criticized the initiative as a “knee-jerk reaction.” He questioned whether the government had addressed the importation of counterfeit car parts, the maintenance of roads, and the public availability of roadworthiness standards, noting that few Ugandans can afford to import high-grade used cars.
