Friday, July 18, 2025
UG Standard - Latest News
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About us
  • Login
UG Standard - Latest News
ADVERTISEMENT

Why de-register a Motor Vehicle in Uganda: and Consequences of Non-Compliance

by UG STANDARD EDITOR | UG STANDARD EDITORIAL
30/06/2025
in Business, OpED
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

De-registering a motor vehicle in Uganda is not just an administrative procedure but a legal obligation governed by the Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998 (Cap. 361). Specifically, Section 19 of the Act mandates that if a registered vehicle is destroyed, becomes permanently unusable, or is permanently removed from Uganda, the owner must notify a licensing officer and surrender the registration book and number plates. This legal requirement ensures that the vehicle is officially removed from the register, eliminating any future tax obligations and protecting the owner from liability. Vehicle de-registration ensures that the vehicle is no longer associated with the registered owner’s Tax Identification Number (TIN) or tax obligations.

The deregistration process is handled by the Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) and can be initiated for various legitimate reasons, including:

Related posts

No Content Available
  1. Exportation; Vehicles that are exported out of Uganda must be de-registered to avoid future tax obligations and to allow proper registration in the destination country.
  2. Write-off or Total Loss; If a vehicle is damaged beyond repair or declared a total loss by insurers, it must be de-registered to remove it from the motor vehicle register.
  3. Permanent Disuse or Scrap; Vehicles that are no longer in use and are being scrapped should be de-registered to avoid ongoing liabilities or future misuse.
  4. Sale of the Vehicle; When a vehicle registered under ministries and departments, country diplomats and other diplomatic institutions among others, the registered owner must de-register it to facilitate the transfer of ownership to the buyer or new owner.

Each of these scenarios requires timely de-registration to avoid continued legal and tax obligations.

Before initiating the de-registration process, you must prepare a formal letter requesting de-registration addressed to the licensing officer, along with proof of vehicle ownership such as the logbook or registration book. You’ll also need to provide your National Identification Card (for individuals) or Certificate of Incorporation (for companies), and evidence supporting the reason for de-registration, such as a sale agreement, police report for an accident, or export documents where applicable. Additionally, ensure you have your TIN and taxpayer details, and that any outstanding tax obligations or road license arrears have been cleared.

Once all the required documentation is gathered, submit the request for deregistration letter to the licensing officer or a designated licensing office. Upon submission, the application is reviewed, an inspection conducted or additional information requested. If the application is approved, the certificate of de-registration is issued. It may also be a requirement that the number plates are returned. Once these steps are completed, the vehicle will be officially removed from the register in line with Section 19 of the Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998

Exposure to fraudulent activities is one of the most serious consequences of failing to de-register a motor vehicle. If the motor vehicle is not deregistered and the number plates are fraudulently used in the commission of serious crimes, the registered owner will find themselves in difficult situation that would ideally be avoidable. This may include but not limited to going to prison for crimes they didn’t commit but because their registered motor vehicle registration number plates were used.

This underscores the risks associated with leaving active registration details tied to a non-operational or scrapped vehicle. Without proper de-registration, number plates can be exploited for criminal or fraudulent activities hence the critical need for vehicle owners to ensure all de-registration procedures are properly followed and completed.

Beyond fraud, failure to de-register a vehicle can lead to the continued accumulation of fees and taxes, like road license fees, advance tax for commercial vehicles among others and Uganda Revenue Authority will continue to bill annually regardless of the vehicle’s status. Therefore, proper de-registration is essential to protect oneself from these risks.

In conclusion, de-registering a motor vehicle in Uganda is not only a legal requirement as per Section 19 of the Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998 but a safeguard against future liabilities. Whether one is exporting, or disposing off a vehicle, following the correct procedure protects one from unnecessary financial burdens and legal risks. Ensure that the process is carried out through official channels, and remember to retain all documentation for record purposes. Vehicle ownership comes with responsibilities that do not end at acquisition. De-registration is a crucial final step in the vehicle’s life cycle and should be treated with the same importance as registration.

For further information or assistance, visit the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) website or contact the nearest URA or ministry of works motor vehicle office.

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Tags: Traffic and Road Safety Act

Related Posts

The write, Hellen Masika is a Community Mobilizer at Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC)
OpED

 HELLEM MASIKA: The Impact of Climate Change on Healthcare in Uganda, Challenges and Pathways to Resilience

by UG STANDARD EDITOR | UG STANDARD EDITORIAL
10/10/2024
0
282

The write, Hellen Masika is a Community Mobilizer at Centre for Citizens Conserving Environment & Management (CECIC) Climate change is...

Read moreDetails

 Outstanding Companies Shine at East African Brand Quality Awards

30/11/2024
344
The writer, Emma Bwayo is Young Politician, Journalist, and Law Student (PHOTO/Courtesy)

#UGAT62: The Youth Perspective and President Museveni’s Role in Shaping the Future

08/10/2024
344
Group photo of the students with officials from TotalEnergies EP Uganda led by Laurent Stephane, Tilenga Academy Recruitment and Training Manager

100 Ugandan students advanced oil and gas training abroad

03/04/2025
207
Load More

Popular Articles

  • Check out the top schools with pupils who scored 6 in 4 aggregates in the 2024 PLE results, as released by UNEB

    PLE 2024 Results: Top Schools with 6 in 4 Aggregates

    4386 shares
    Share 1754 Tweet 1097
  • How to Renew Your National ID Online: NIRA Pre-Registration Portal 2025 Guide

    4176 shares
    Share 1670 Tweet 1044
  • NIRA unveils high-tech National ID, mass enrollment set to begin

    2672 shares
    Share 1069 Tweet 668
  • FULL LIST: Ministry of Education, NCDC publish self-study workbooks amid COVID-19 lockdown

    3324 shares
    Share 1349 Tweet 823
  • How to Check PLE Results 2024 on Phone, Online

    1786 shares
    Share 714 Tweet 447
  • PLE 2024 Results: UNEB Clarifies on Release Date

    1652 shares
    Share 661 Tweet 413
  • MPs clear govt to cancel 2020 academic year

    2796 shares
    Share 1150 Tweet 686

Recent Articles

FULL LIST: Winners and Losers in the NRM Primaries

18/07/2025

FULL LIST: Top Ministers Defeated in NRM Primaries

18/07/2025
Witness the intense NRM primaries: learn about the disputes, alleged military interference, and full list of candidates who emerged victorious despite the challenges.

CHAOS AND TRIUMPH: NRM Primaries Rocked by Violence, Arrests as Winners Emerge!

17/07/2025

Kadaga, Tayebwa, Nyamutooro, Anita Among win big as NRM releases full list of winners in Primaries

17/07/2025
Uganda's economy gets a significant boost as remittances from its diaspora hit $1.42 billion (5.1 trillion shillings). Explore the growth, key sectors, and efforts to maximize these crucial inflows.

Ugandan Diaspora Sends UGX 5.1 Trillion Home, Driving Growth

17/07/2025
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rusoke Kituuma

Police detail incidents during NRM primaries; over 90 arrested

17/07/2025
Construction of Rwanda’s new airport in Bugesera

ATIDI approves USD84 million counter-guarantee to support financing of Rwanda’s new international airport

17/07/2025

Recent CommentsRecent Comments

  • The Journey of Ibrahim Traoré on How President Ibrahim Traoré’s ambitious vision is driving Burkina Faso’s economic growth push
  • Ugandan Scientists Finalists For European Inventors Prize — Press Uganda on Ugandan scientists finalists for European inventors prize
  • Government Pumps UGX1 Trillion Into UDB To Drive Industrialization, SME Growth — Press Uganda on Government pumps UGX1 Trillion into UDB to drive Industrialization, SME growth
  • PS Ggoobi Tips On Building USD 500b Economy — Press Uganda on PS Ggoobi tips on building USD 500b economy
  • Museveni Meets German Envoy Matthias Schauer After Subversion Claims — Press Uganda on Museveni meets German envoy Matthias Schauer after subversion claims

UG Standard - Latest News

UG Standard, published via www.ugstandard.com isa publication of Sahel Media Solutions Ltd, a professional Digital/New Media company in Uganda info@ugstandard.com

Follow us on social media:

Latest News

  • FULL LIST: Winners and Losers in the NRM Primaries
  • FULL LIST: Top Ministers Defeated in NRM Primaries
  • CHAOS AND TRIUMPH: NRM Primaries Rocked by Violence, Arrests as Winners Emerge!
  • Kadaga, Tayebwa, Nyamutooro, Anita Among win big as NRM releases full list of winners in Primaries
  • Ugandan Diaspora Sends UGX 5.1 Trillion Home, Driving Growth
  • Police detail incidents during NRM primaries; over 90 arrested

OpED

Telecom operators in Uganda should stop re-assigning customer’s phone numbers

EACOP Poses a Silent Threat to Ngorongoro, We Need a Full Environmental Assessment Now

NICHOLAS SENGOBA: Gen Moses Ali, ghetto mentality and why Baganda are ‘hard’ to please

Equipping Youth with Skills for a Sustainable Future: A Mission We Must All Embrace

Fueling the Future: How Pesapal’s Forecourt Management Solution is Transforming Uganda’s Petroleum Sector

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About us

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
%d