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UNBS to inspect imported used cars for road-worthiness in Uganda
UNBS has since 2013 inspected used vehicles for roadworthiness in countries of origin. Photo / Edgar R Batte
What you need to know:
- The inspection within the country has been occasioned by a ruling that canceled the contract of a firm contracted to inspect used vehicles from countries of origin
All used vehicle inspections for roadworthiness will in the interim be conducted within the country before they are cleared out of custom-controlled areas, Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), has said.
This, UNBS said yesterday had been occasioned by a ruling, which, on November 20, cancelled the procurement of a company contracted to conduct inspections in countries of origin.
The ruling originated from a dispute in which UNBS had challenged the decision of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) tribunal cancelling the selection of Quality Inspection Services Inc, Japan to inspect used vehicles from respective countries of origin under the pre-import verification of conformity programme.
The PPDA tribunal had cancelled the process after EAA Co Limited and A1J Limited applied for an administrative review of the bid process that had declared Quality Inspection Services Inc, Japan winner and ordered UNBS to recruit a new provider.
However, UNBS challenged the decision in the High Court, noting that suspension of pre-import verification of conformity services would cause enormous revenue loss to UNBS and government, while it would also make destination inspection expensive.
UNBS subsequently obtained interim orders staying execution of the decision of the tribunal and recruitment of a short-term service provider, pending hearing of the main case.
However, yesterday Ms Sylvia Kirabo, the UNBS senior communications manager, said a November 20 High Court ruling had concurred with the PPDA tribunal, cancelling the procurement process and ordering the re-tendering of the entire process.
“Right now vehicles are being inspected at the point of entry and inland container depots. Ideally, importers have to present their vehicles for pre-inspection. When the procurement is done then the vehicles will be inspected in countries of origin,” she said, noting that UNBS inspectors had been deployed to ensure that no used vehicle is allowed out of a controlled customs area without being inspected.
A notice to all used vehicle importers and dealers had noted that the change in inspection began on November 22, with the standards agency noting that all imported used vehicles from Japan, Singapore, UK, UAE and South Africa, among others were, in the meantime, expected to be inspected within Uganda.
The inspection, UNBS also indicated, would cost $140 (Shs514,627).
“Effective November 22, 2024, the assessment for roadworthiness of all used vehicles coming into the country, will be done here in Uganda … by UNBS inspectors before release of the used vehicles from customs controlled areas,” a notice signed by Mr James Kasigwa, the UNBS executive director, reads in part.
It was not immediately clear when UNBS is expected to procure a service provider.
Used motor vehicle inspection has since 2013 been conducted in countries of origin.
However, importers have previously questioned why UNBS chooses foreign companies such as Quality Inspection Services Inc, Japan that operate in an area far away from Uganda to conduct such service.
This is the second time UNBS has published a similar notice, with the first one coming on November 16, 2023, in which the then-acting executive director Daniel Richard Makayi Nangalama noted that used motor vehicles would be inspected within Uganda.
Uganda currently imports an average of 46,781 used motor vehicles annually, according to data from Uganda Revenue Authority.
Disrupted
Used motor vehicles have previously been inspected for roadworthiness in countries of origin since 2013, but were disrupted by a dispute that ended up in court last year.
In the notice, UNBS also noted that all used vehicles presented for destination inspection “should have a minimum of six months remaining before reaching 15 years from the year of manufacture”.
Uganda banned the importation of used vehicles older than 15 years in 2019, as a measure to protect the environment and improve the standards of motor vehicles that enter the country.
