Written by; Edrisa Ssentongo
The Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, has informed Parliament that the government is considering reinstating the mandatory use of speed governors in all vehicles to reduce road accidents and deaths.
The Ugandan law requires all vehicles carrying seven or more passengers or weighing over 3.5 tonnes to install speed governors that limit speed 80km/hr.
These devices cost between 300,000-600,000 though the government is currently reviewing regulations to enforce them strictly due to implementation lapses.
Enforcing speed governors in Uganda has faced significant hurdles since the mandate was initially introduced in 2004.
The hurdles include drivers deliberately tampering with these machines by disconnecting devices to bypass speed limits, fake devices, and corruption, with dealers smuggling in fake gadgets and corrupt networks issuing certificates of fitness without actual installations, and low compliance among heavy trucks and minibuses identified by the transport licensing board as the biggest defaulters.
"In the 11th Parliament, we did resolve that the government through the Ministry of Works and Transport reinstate the use of speed governors, may we be updated on implementing this resolution, Asinansi Nyakato, the shadow minister of Works and Transport, asked.
"On the issue of speed governors, the government is considering bringing back the mandatory speed governors in all vehicles, said Fred Byamukama, the Minister of Works and Transport.
The discussion on the reinstatement of speed governors has come in a period when over-speeding is the leading cause of fatal road accidents in Uganda.
This week 14 people died and 28 others were injured in a hard collision involving an Opit travelers bus and trailer along Kampala - Gulu highway in Omoro district.
The growing number of these fatal crashes is caused by speeding, dangerous overtaking, and other forms of reckless driving.
The Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, has informed Parliament that the government is considering reinstating the mandatory use of speed governors in all vehicles to reduce road accidents and deaths.
The Ugandan law requires all vehicles carrying seven or more passengers or weighing over 3.5 tonnes to install speed governors that limit speed 80km/hr.
These devices cost between 300,000-600,000 though the government is currently reviewing regulations to enforce them strictly due to implementation lapses.
Enforcing speed governors in Uganda has faced significant hurdles since the mandate was initially introduced in 2004.
The hurdles include drivers deliberately tampering with these machines by disconnecting devices to bypass speed limits, fake devices, and corruption, with dealers smuggling in fake gadgets and corrupt networks issuing certificates of fitness without actual installations, and low compliance among heavy trucks and minibuses identified by the transport licensing board as the biggest defaulters.
"In the 11th Parliament, we did resolve that the government through the Ministry of Works and Transport reinstate the use of speed governors, may we be updated on implementing this resolution, Asinansi Nyakato, the shadow minister of Works and Transport, asked.
"On the issue of speed governors, the government is considering bringing back the mandatory speed governors in all vehicles, said Fred Byamukama, the Minister of Works and Transport.
The discussion on the reinstatement of speed governors has come in a period when over-speeding is the leading cause of fatal road accidents in Uganda.
This week 14 people died and 28 others were injured in a hard collision involving an Opit travelers bus and trailer along Kampala - Gulu highway in Omoro district.
The growing number of these fatal crashes is caused by speeding, dangerous overtaking, and other forms of reckless driving.
