The Government of Uganda has commenced the rollout of Mandatory Motor Vehicle Inspection Services as part of a nationwide effort to improve road safety, protect the environment and safeguard public health.
The programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Works and Transport in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force, and is aimed at ensuring that vehicles operating on Ugandan roads meet minimum safety and environmental standards.
According to the Ministry, the inspection process will assess critical vehicle components, including the braking system, suspension, lighting systems such as headlamp alignment and beam intensity, exhaust emissions, and the overall mechanical condition of vehicles.
The exercise has initially started with government vehicles, Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) operating on fixed routes, Private Omnibuses (PMOs), tourist vehicles, as well as vehicles referred by the Uganda Police Force due to dangerous mechanical conditions. Other categories, including private vehicles, taxis, trucks and motorcycles, will be incorporated at a later date to be communicated by the Minister of Works and Transport.
To facilitate the rollout, vehicle inspection stations have been established across the country. These include Namanve along Jinja Road, Kawanda on Bombo Road, Nabbingo on Masaka Road, Namulanda on Entebbe Road, Mbale along the Tororo–Mbale Highway, Gulu along the Kampala–Gulu Highway, and Mbarara along the Kampala–Mbarara Highway. Each station is equipped to handle specific vehicle categories, with several sites capable of inspecting all vehicle types.
In a move aimed at encouraging compliance, the government has significantly reduced inspection fees. Motorcycles and motorised tricycles will pay UGX 5,500, while cars and dual-purpose vehicles will pay UGX 52,800. Passenger vehicles and goods vehicles will be charged according to seating capacity and weight, with fees ranging between UGX 48,000 and UGX 60,000. Re-inspection within 30 days after initial failure will be conducted free of charge.
Officials say the programme is a critical intervention in addressing road crashes linked to mechanical failure, which continue to pose a major public safety risk.
The Ministry has urged motorists to prepare their vehicles for inspection and comply with the new requirements, emphasizing that safer vehicles translate into safer road users and safer journeys.
More details on the inspection process and requirements are available on the Ministry of Works and Transport website.
