By Johannah Nantongo
The Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) has held a high-level meeting with leaders of bus operators to address road safety concerns and improve adherence to transport regulations across Uganda.
During the discussions, the State Minister for Transport, Fred Byamukama, emphasized the importance of collaboration between government and transport stakeholders in tackling increasing road incidents. He noted that aligning efforts is key to improving safety standards on the country’s roads.
The meeting follows a rise in road accidents in recent months, prompting the Ministry to accelerate the implementation of mandatory Motor Vehicle Inspection Services (MVIS). This initiative is intended to ensure that vehicles operating on public roads meet required safety standards.
According to the Minister, existing regulations require public service vehicles (PSVs) to undergo annual inspections, while private vehicles must be checked every two years. To support compliance, bus operators have been given a 60-day grace period—from April 8 to June 8, 2026—to voluntarily present their vehicles for inspection.
The initial phase of the exercise will target buses operating along Northern and Eastern routes. Only vehicles that pass inspection and receive valid certification will be allowed back on the road.
The Ministry also indicated that similar inspections will later be extended to trucks and trailers, which have increasingly been linked to safety risks on highways.
