Government Orders Crackdown on ‘Vuvuzela’ Horns and Flickering Lights on Trucks and Buses

Government Orders Crackdown on ‘Vuvuzela’ Horns and Flickering Lights on Trucks and Buses

Government has ordered police to impound buses, Sinotrucks and ordinary trucks fitted with “vuvuzela-like horns” and flickering lights, saying the features are partly responsible for forcing other motorists off the road.

The Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety at the Ministry of Works, Mr Winstone Katushabe, warned vehicle owners to remove “funny horns used during football matches” by Wednesday and retain only horns that are “manufactured by a factory.”

“From today (Wednesday), flickering lights, funny horns on these vehicles, whether bus, truck or motorcycle, just get them and charge them in courts of law; start today (Wednesday, August 12),” Mr Katushabe directed security officers during a meeting with owners and operators of Sinotrucks and other similar vehicles in Kampala.

Mr Katushabe said he had received complaints from people living near Gaddafi Mosque, where some bus companies park.

“I’m told Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has an office there but staff and taxpayers can’t access it because bus companies hoot from 6am to midnight. I’ve asked the landlord to write to us because there are established decibel levels. We shall then write to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and take action,” he said.

The directive comes as government prepares to inspect all Sinotrucks in Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and parts of Mpigi and Kayunga districts over a two-month period following concerns that the trucks are “accident-prone.”

Mr Katushabe said the authorities will agree on a date before the inspection exercise begins, after which it will systematically move to other areas.

Conditions for Sinotruck Operators

According to Mr Katushabe, all Sinotruck owners and operators will be required to appear with their drivers, who must carry a valid driving licence and a medical form from a recognised hospital.

He said a form for accreditation, together with a badge, would be provided free of charge.

“Once enforced, any driver without a badge, we shall charge the owner of the truck and driver,” Mr Katushabe said.

He added that all Sinotruck owners must issue their drivers with appointment letters, which will be captured in a database to be developed by the Ministry of Works.

In case a Sinotruck driver or operator dismisses their driver, the Ministry of Works should also be notified.

Sinotrucks are heavy-duty trucks manufactured in China. In Uganda, growing demand for construction and logistics equipment has created a strong need for the transportation of materials and equipment.

Police Raise Concern Over Sinotruck Crashes

Traffic Police spokesperson Mr Michael Kananura said there has been “a big concern” over the rising number of crashes involving Sinotrucks.

“We could be having a few crashes directly involving Sinotrucks, but crashes on our roads, where Sinotrucks are indirectly involved, are more than where they are directly involved,” he said.

He said police have registered several crashes in which motorists reportedly veer off the road or overturn while trying to avoid Sinotrucks. In some cases, it has been difficult to prove that the crash was caused by the motorist who was overtaking and subsequently charge them with careless driving.

Mr Kananura also cited fatigue among Sinotruck drivers as a common problem, saying some drive throughout the day and night while delivering merchandise without adequate rest.

He said some drivers also fail to keep a safe distance, resulting in crashes caused by vehicles “knocking from behind” because they are travelling too close to others.

Kananura further said some Sinotrucks are in poor mechanical condition, particularly their tyres.

“Sinotrucks are also in poor mechanical condition, especially the inside tyres; they get worn out to an extent that when the other threads get out and are visible, the drivers continue driving,” he said.

He also raised concern over drivers disobeying directives from traffic officers to stop.

Police in Mpigi District recently arrested a suspect who was driving a Sinotruck after he allegedly failed to respond to a routine traffic stop at Maya checkpoint on Sunday at around 8pm.

The suspect was detained at Maya Police Station pending court proceedings.

Mr Kananura said that upon interception and further checks, the suspect was found to be under the influence of alcohol and driving without a licence.

The owner of the truck has also been charged with permitting a person without a valid driving licence to operate the vehicle.

The arrest comes after 14 people were killed in a road crash involving a taxi and a Sinotruck transporting sand at Lwera Swamp along the Kampala-Masaka Highway in Kalungu District on August 3.

Four other victims, including the Sinotruck driver identified by police as Ibra Kiyega Mukasa, sustained injuries and were rushed to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.

Mr Kananura said Mr Mukasa has since been charged with causing the death of 14 people and two counts of causing bodily injuries through reckless driving.