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KADAGA: Stop the caution phase, stop the adverts on radio and TV as we wait for the committee to report
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT REPORTER| Minister of Works Monica Azuba Ntege has clarified that there will be no deadline for the ongoing countrywide motor vehicle inspection.
Azuba told Uganda’s parliament today that while compliance will be routinely enforced by the traffic police, a deadline cannot be put. “Deadline for the inspection of vehicles is not June 30, 2017,” Azuba confirmed.
Azuba stressed that the newly introduced mandatory and periodic motor vehicle inspection services requirement to have a certificate of fitness by every motor vehicle, is an ongoing requirement.
Azuba said July will be the caution month, after which if one gets three passes before visiting the inspection station, the vehicle will be taken off the road.
Kadaga orders halt to all activities
She said this before Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadago ordered that even the caution is halted until a committee looks into the entire Societe Generale De Surveillance (SGS)project.
Kadaga ruled that deadline for vehicle inspection be extinguished and a Committee of Parliament looks at the contract.
“Stop the caution phase, stop the adverts on radio and TV as we wait for the committee to report,” Kadaga ruled.
It was later announced that government will issue an official statement on SGS and vehicle inspection. Minister of State for Works Gen. Katumba Wamala will hold a press conference Friday at 10am.
Minister Ntege: Deadline for the inspection of vehicles is not 30th June 2017. #PlenaryUg
— Parliament Watch (@pwatchug) June 29, 2017
Who are SGS?
In March 2015, Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport awarded SGS an exclusive contract to carry out vehicle inspections countrywide on its behalf. The vehicle inspection exercise is carried out under “Safe Drive Uganda” – a road safety measure intended to ensure vehicle roadworthiness and reduce carnage on Ugandan roads.
This mandatory exercise is aimed at improving road safety by compelling motor vehicle owners and drivers to use safe and well maintained vehicles. Environmental conservation is an additional goal; vehicle emissions, one of the main sources of air pollution, will be tested.
The first vehicle inspection station in Kawanda started operations on November 28, 2016. A mobile inspection station was set up at Namboole Stadium parking lot in February 2017. Since the mandatory exercise began, 10,000 cars have been inspected at the two stations.
Five other fixed test stations are under construction around the country – in Namulanda (Entebbe Road), Namanve (Jinja Road), Mbarara, Gulu and Mbale. In addition, three mobile stations will cover several upcountry locations with sparse vehicle population.
** Source Parliament Watch @pwatchug & Parliament of Uganda @Parliament_UG
Eng. Azuba: It is an offense to drive a vehicle without a certificate issued by the Ministry through SGS #PlenaryUg
— Parliament of Uganda (@Parliament_UG) June 29, 2017
Eng.Azuba:The 1st phase of enforcement will be to stop & caution motorists to go & get their cars inspected before anyone is penalized
— Parliament of Uganda (@Parliament_UG) June 29, 2017
Eng.Azuba: A deadline would cause unnecessary congestion of the stations & compromise the quality of service #PlenaryUg
— Parliament of Uganda (@Parliament_UG) June 29, 2017
Fees and charges ,inclusive of VAT to be paid for vehicle inspection. #PlenaryUg pic.twitter.com/jCltTRkVfG
— Parliament Watch (@pwatchug) June 29, 2017
Minister Ntege informs Parliament that vehicle inspection will be done every year. #PlenaryUg
— Parliament Watch (@pwatchug) June 29, 2017
