Buses to undergo mandatory inspection, says minister Byamukama

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In a bid to curb public bus-related accidents, the state minister for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, has said that all buses will undergo mandatory inspection.

At a meeting chaired by Byamukama at the Ministry of Works and Transport vehicle inspection centre in Namanve on March 18, 2026, he said that the government is mandated to put in place measures to reduce road accidents.

He added that this is why police enforce speed limits in certain areas, and motorists who fail to comply are issued with speeding tickets.

Fred Byamukama, the State Minister for Works and Transport, addressing drivers and owners in Namanve. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

“Today, we are here to remind all drivers to mandate vehicle inspection. Recently, the government procured several inspection facilities at sh109billion. We have started with the inspection of vehicles on the northern and eastern Uganda route.

With effect from April 8-June 8, all buses on these routes should have stickers from the transport ministry that they have undergone inspection,” Byamukama said.

He noted that the Ministry of Transport is mandated to inspect vehicles to ensure they are fit for the road, as well as maintain roads, install road signs and educate the public on proper road use.

Byamukama added that some vehicles that are not roadworthy end up catching fire or getting involved in accidents, leading to loss of lives among passengers.

The minister noted that while bus drivers bring their vehicles for inspection, there are cost implications, adding that each vehicle must first be repaired at a garage before inspection.

“What we are doing now is to help bus drivers, owners and passengers that the buses run effectively on the road,” Byamukama said.

Eng. Kharim Kibuuka, the head of Motor Vehicle Inspection Section from the Ministry of Works and Transport sharing a light moment with Fred Byamukama, the state minister for Works and Transport during his (Byamukama's) visit meeting with bus drivers at the Ministry of Works and Transport vehicle inspection centre in Namanve. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

The head of the motor vehicle inspection section, Eng. Kharim Kibuuka revealed that inspection of a single bus costs sh60,000. He added that since the ministry has introduced mandatory inspections, any driver or bus owner who pays the fee but fails to meet the required standards will be granted three free re-inspections within one month before April 8.

During the meeting, bus drivers and owners raised concerns about poor road conditions across the country, which damage their vehicles, as well as high fuel prices and security threats.