The Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, has informed Parliament that the government is considering the reinstatement of mandatory use of speed governors in all vehicles in a bid to reduce road accidents and deaths.
According to Byamukama, 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 UGX 300,000 and UGX 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 tampering with these machines, deliberately 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 with heavy trucks and minibuses identified by the transport licensing board as the biggest defaulters.
Asinansi Nyakato, the Shadow Minister of Works and Transport while on the floor of parliament called for an update on the resolutions made on reinstatement of speed governors.
“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?” Nyakato asked.
However, Minister Byamukama responded, revealing that the government is considering bringing back the mandatory speed governors in all vehicles.
The reinstatement of speed governors discussion has come in a period when overspeeding 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 travellers bus and trailer along the Kampala – Gulu highway in Omoro district.
The growing number of these fatal crashes is caused by overspeeding, dangerous overtaking, and other forms of reckless driving.
The story was written by Edrisa Ssentongo, a Member of the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU).
