Unra fines truck owners Shs2b for overloading

Unra’s media relations manager Allan Ssempebwa

Kampala. The Uganda National Roads Authority (Unra) has slapped a fine of Shs2.2b on five trucks, which were impounded at the weekend in Mubende and Mbale districts for violating the new minimum height and weight standards.
According to the regulations, any truck in excess of the least 0.5 tonnes is liable to a fine of $90 (Shs326,300)while the highest 31.5 tonnes (plus) is liable to a fine of $145,889 (Shs526million)—subject to the inflation of the currency.

The new regulations were signed off last December by Works minister Monica Azuba, replacing the Traffic and Road Safety (Weighbridges) Regulations, 2010.
Unra’s media relations manager Allan Ssempebwa told Daily Monitor on Monday that two trucks bound for DR Congo were impounded at their Mubende weighbridge station, weighing excess 21 and 42.43 tonnes respectively. One truck was fined Shs83m and another Shs530m.

Other cases
The other cases, three trucks weighing 153.36 with an excess of 94.5 tonnes, 142.45 tonnes with an overload of 83.5 tonnes, and another with 111 tonnes with an excess of 52 tonnes after weighing, respectively, were impounded at the Unra weighbridge station in Mbale. These have been slapped with fines of Shs530m each.
“We have in the past had challenges in enforcing acceptable vehicle load weights on our roads and these have posted severe damage to our road infrastructure. Do not forget the huge investment the taxpayer folks in the heavy road infrastructure projects we have in the country,” Mr Ssempebwa said.
“We now have more deterrent measures established in the new Unra regulations,”he added.

Curbing damage
He added that the new regulations seek to ensure that damage is curbed and our roads live for as long as we have projected them to live. He said the new regulations are in line with the East African Community axle-load control regulations 2017, which were adopted by the member states in an effort by partner states to bring down transport costs and check overloading that destroys roads.

The new regulations are an addendum to the 2006 Unra Act, which according to the Unra’s executive director Allen Kagina, are “aimed at ensuring that the road assets are managed efficiently, are safer for the users, well protected and are used responsibly.”