More than 400 commuter taxis have failed roadworthiness inspections after being impounded during a joint operation by the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Police Force. Of the 531 taxis seized on Thursday night, 423, representing 79.7 per cent, failed inspections at the Namanve and Kawanda vehicle inspection centres. Only 108 taxis, equivalent to 20.3 per cent, passed the tests.
The Ministry of Works and Transport said the vehicles that failed had critical mechanical defects including faulty brakes, defective steering systems, worn-out tyres, faulty suspension systems and defective lighting. According to the ministry, these defects posed serious safety risks to passengers and other road users, making the affected vehicles unfit to operate on public roads. The operation specifically targeted commuter taxis operating at night that were suspected of being unroadworthy.
Heavy dump trucks showed similar results. The Ministry said 390 of the 492 heavy dump trucks inspected passed roadworthiness tests, representing 79.3 per cent, while 102 trucks, equivalent to 20.7 per cent, failed. The inspections followed an August directive from the Ministry requiring all heavy dump trucks to undergo mandatory inspection within 60 days. Operators found using vehicles without valid inspection certificates risk having their trucks impounded.
The inspection results highlight mechanical safety concerns among commercial vehicles operating on Uganda's roads, according to the Ministry. Vehicle operators are required to maintain their vehicles, comply with mandatory inspections and obtain valid inspection certificates before operating on public roads.