The Ministry of Works and Transport has announced plans to reintroduce mandatory motor vehicle inspections starting July 1, 2025, in an effort to address the increasing number of road accidents across the country. The inspections will begin with passenger service vehicles before expanding to other categories of automobiles.
Speaking at a press briefing, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, emphasized that the initiative aims to eliminate mechanically unfit vehicles from the roads. He revealed that inspection centers are being prepared, and training for inspectors is already underway to ensure smooth implementation.
“We have witnessed a worrying rise in road crashes, and many of these are caused by vehicles that should not be on the road. To address this, we are reviving mandatory inspections, with the first phase beginning in July 2025,” Katumba stated.
In addition to vehicle inspections, the government has introduced new safety regulations for motorcycles. Moving forward, all newly purchased motorcycles must be sold with two standard helmets as a requirement for registration. Law enforcement agencies will soon intensify operations to penalize riders and passengers who fail to wear helmets.
“We are taking helmet safety seriously. Traffic officers will conduct operations to ensure compliance, and both the rider and passenger will be penalized for failing to wear helmets,” Katumba warned.
To further curb road accidents, the government is also introducing a 30 km per hour speed limit in urban areas, especially near schools, hospitals, and busy streets. Authorities believe this will help reduce pedestrian-related accidents and improve overall road safety.
According to SP Michael Kananura, the Traffic Police spokesperson, tougher measures will be taken against repeat traffic offenders. He highlighted that some drivers have become accustomed to paying fines without changing their reckless behavior.
“Certain offenders will now be detained for 48 hours and taken to court instead of simply paying fines. Road safety requires discipline, and we will ensure stricter enforcement,” Kananura said.
A 2025 police report revealed a steady increase in road accidents, with 25,107 cases recorded in 2024, up from 23,608 in 2023. Among these, 4,434 were fatal, while 1,314 resulted in serious injuries.
Uganda is currently ranked 10th in Africa for road-related fatalities, a statistic that has prompted urgent government intervention. The Ministry of Works and Transport, along with law enforcement agencies, urges all road users to comply with these new measures to enhance safety and reduce preventable deaths.
