423 taxis fail mechanical fitness tests in Namanve, Kawanda

What the report says

The Ministry of Works and Transport has reported that 423 of 531 taxis inspected at Namanve and Kawanda failed mechanical fitness checks, according to The Independent Uganda. Only 108 taxis, or 20.3 percent, passed, while the rest were found with defects the ministry said made them unsafe for public transport. The vehicles were among those impounded by police during the ongoing Ganyegenya operation, which aims to remove mechanically unfit vehicles from Ugandan roads.

The ministry, through spokesperson Emanuel Ayinebyona, said the inspection identified problems including faulty brakes, steering defects, worn tyres, suspension failures and malfunctioning lights. Those issues can affect a vehicle’s ability to stop, steer and remain visible, increasing the risk of crashes involving passengers, pedestrians and other road users.

The same enforcement drive is also covering heavy dump trucks, including Sinotruk models. The report said 492 dump trucks had been inspected by October 15, with 390 passing and 102 failing. The ministry said vehicles without valid inspection certificates will not be allowed on public roads after the deadline, with joint enforcement by the ministry and police expected to begin immediately. The broader effort is part of Uganda’s push to improve road safety by identifying unsafe vehicles before they contribute to crashes.