UNRA impounds 27 trucks for overloading

By Jeff Andrew Lule 

The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is holding 27 trucks for overloading beyond their axle limit as recommended by law.

The trucks were impounded by the UNRA enforcement team in an operation carried out last Friday in different parts of Kampala.

While inspecting the trucks at Namboole parking yard, the head of operations and acting administration manager, John Bosco Ssejemba said trucks were impounded along Entebbe, Gayaza, Masaka and Namugongo road.
 
"We conducted this operation starting Friday (October 23) night throughout the weekend, targeting trucks loaded with sand. Our intelligence learnt that truck drivers had started moving at night and very early in the morning when they got to know about our operations. We immediately swung into action after getting this information," he explained.

They impounded 31 trucks and found 27 with excess load beyond the required tonnage.

Out of the 27 trucks one of the trucks was found in excess of 31 tonnes from 50 tonnes as recommended.

Ssejemba said all the culprits will be charged in court and fined. The lowest fine according to the law is 15 currency points about (sh300,000) and 30 currency points (sh600,000).

He stressed that they intend to introduce an express penalty scheme to fine trucks on spot because the court process takes time. They also plan to introduce new equipment to ease the work without going to weighbridges.

Ssejemba said operations kicked off on July 13, under the guidance and directive of the UNRA boss, Allen Kagina. He noted that old weighbridge staff were all sent on leave and replaced.
 
UNRA has since impounded over 1,500 trucks and collected overt sh500m in fines in just four months.

"This is not about money, but we want to protect our roads. Constructing a 1km road now costs $1m about (sh3.6bn). This every expensive, that why road users must behave responsibly," he added.

They have also started sensitizing truck owners and drivers over the matter.
      
Ssejemba said they have also stepped up enforcement on all roads country wide.
 
Truck drivers speak out
 
Idris Kigozi, a driver and chairman Mukono truck drivers, said there is need for express penalty to avoid wasting time. "We need express penalty scheme to avoid delaying drivers. Now imagine our trucks have been parked for six days, waiting to be fined by court," he said.

Adbul Kabito, Roko Construction Company driver, noted that at UNRA officers need to consider the nature of sand.

"At times water makes the sand heavier. They have to listen to us because at times we end up making loses," he said.

Muhamood Byarunga, truck driver along Masaka, said the UNRA weighbridges are inaccurate and need replacement.