Vehicles and Vehicle Inspections in Uganda: Progress and Plans Presented By Ronald Amanyire Ag. Principal Inspector of Vehicles Ministry of Works and Transport/Transport Licensing Board
CURRENT STATUS OF VEHICLES IN UGANDA EXACT number of vehicles in the country is UNKNOWN Estimates used by different stakeholders depend on registration data available from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and statistical projections URA Data on vehicles since 1991 when it started registering vehicles is fragmented and incoherent with different classifications during this period. However, the most recent estimates indicate the number of vehicles to be between 800,000 and 1,000,000 including motorcycles Although majority of vehicles imported in the country are used, the proportion of used vehicles is reducing (since July 2012 = 68%)
VEHICLE INSPECTION IN UGANDA A well maintained vehicle consumes less fuel and is is more fuel efficient than a poorly maintained vehicle This also implies the vehicle is safer as intended by the manufacturer Vehicle Inspection as a statutory requirement is a way of compelling vehicle owners to maintain their vehicles in the most safe and efficient condition Vehicle inspection in Uganda is still a requirement by law (S.I. No. 37 of 1971 which is now S.I. 361-7 of 1998). However, it is not being conducted due to a multiplicity of reasons
VEHICLE INSPECTION IN UGANDA Reasons include: De-linking it from being a requirement for a road license There was apparent lack of transparency in the process Results of inspection were subjective (opinion and experience of the Inspector) Lack of investment in required modern equipment As a result it came to a halt in 1998 Currently visual inspection of accident vehicles is conducted by Police with no equipment Transport Licensing Board conducts inspection of Public Service Vehicles (Buses, Taxis, Boda-bodas ) - with no equipment Chief Mechanical Engineer inspects Government Vehicles for boarding off and advising on required repairs with no equipment
PROGRESS MADE TO ADDRESS VEHICLE INSPECTION CHALLENGES MoWT initiated an Open International Bidding procurement process for a single firm to conduct INITIAL AND PERIODIC automated, efficient and transparent vehicle inspections in September 2009 This was after a feasibility study concluded in 2007 which recommended privatisation of the function The procurement process was marred by several administrative reviews which ended in a Judicial Review - this was concluded in the first half of 2014. As a result on 17 March 2015, the Ministry signed a 5-Year Renewable contract with the Best Evaluated Bidder Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS) a Swiss Multi-national Based in Geneva. SGS conducts over 44 Million Vehicle inspections in 12 Countries
VEHICLE INSPECTION PLANS/EXPECTATIONS Automated/computerised inspection of the most sensitive vehicle systems including: Emissions Brakes Suspension Headlamps Alignment/sideslip Electrical System And any other item for which automated technology is available The Contractor, SGS, has committed to have at least four fixed vehicle inspection stations within Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) operational by end of March 2016. They have to acquire land in strategic sites to be approved by the Ministry
VEHICLE INSPECTION PLANS/EXPECTATIONS Another 3 fixed stations in Gulu, Eastern and Mbarara will then be set up by September 2016 All the funds required for the investment will be provided by SGS who will then charge user fees approved by the Ministry SGS have already provided a Performance Security of USD 1.25 Million to the Ministry (this shows their commitment). Expected investment is at least USD 12.5 Million SGS will also acquire a minimum of 25 temporary sites in areas with sparse vehicle population for setting up mobile testing equipment at preannounced dates during the course of the year.
INSPECTION FEES (2009) TO BE ADJUSTED ACCORDING TO CURRENT CPI FROM UBOS ITEM GROUP OF MOTOR VEHICLES INSPECTION FEE (SHS) 1 Motorcycles 28,000 2 Cars and Dual Purpose Vehicles 56,000 3 Passenger Vehicles 7-20 Passengers 62,000 4 Passenger Vehicles 21 60 Passengers 75,000 5 Passenger Vehicles 61 and above 500 6 Goods Vehicles of less than 3.5 Tonnes 56,000 7 Goods Vehicles of 3.5 10 Tonnes 75,000 8 Goods Vehicles of more than 10 Tonnes 30,000 9 Trailer of 2 Axles 10,000 10 Each Extra Axle on Trailer 500
EXPECTED BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM A well maintained vehicle fleet Controlled Emission Levels (with health and social benefits) Comprehensive Vehicle Database e.g: Categorisation by vehicle type Categorisation by fuel consumed Categorisation by purpose Complete record of vehicle from import to disposal Improved Road Safety Job Creation for the Youth (Most inspectors will be in this category) Improved enforcement mechanisms on vehicles.
GOVERNMENT PLANS WITHOUT FUNDING There is need for development of a comprehensive Vehicle Inspection Manual customised to the needs of Uganda (the UNBS standard is just not comprehensive enough) There is a need to build capacity within government to enable it monitor the work being undertaken by the private contractor This involves design, construction and equipping of a Vehicle Master Test Centre which should randomly inspect vehicles to confirm what SGS has done. It also involves development of Key Performance Indicators for Measuring and Reporting on performance of the Private Sector player Human Resource Capacity also needs to developed countrywide
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