Traffic officers blamed for high number of DMC vehicles on the road

Vehicles in Dangerous Mechanical Condition continue to ply roads in the Rwenzori region despite the presence of traffic police officers on the roads. The vehicles are a common sight along the Fort-Portal- Kasese road, Fort-Portal-Bundibugyo road and Fort Portal- Kamwenge road.

The vehicles have worn out tyres, broken lights, faulty brakes, non-functional speedometers, no side mirrors and number plates. Last year, a report released by the Rwenzori regional traffic department blamed accidents in the region on DMCs.

Some of the vehicles are impounded by Police, but return on the roads in the same condition a few days after. Vincent Baguma, a frequent traveler on the Fort Portal- Kasese road, says drivers of DMC vehicles are putting the lives of passengers at risk.

He accuses the traffic officers of allowing DMCs on roads. Baguma suspects that the drivers could be bribing traffic police to be let free.

David Masereka, a trader who often uses the Fort Portal-Bundibugyo road wants traffic police to impound all DMCs vehicles and arrest their drivers for flouting traffic rules.

He says since some of the DMCs are commercial vehicles, their owners have a duty to maintain them in good condition to stop endangering travelers and other road users.

Richard Okiring, a Traffic Officer attached to the regional traffic department attributes the presence of DMCs on lack of manpower. Okiring explains that on some of the roads, there are not more than two traffic officers deployed.

He however, says despite the challenges, some of the vehicles been impounded and deregistered. Last year, government embarked on mandatory inspection of vehicles to get rid of DMCs from roads. The exercise under the supervision of Ministry of Works and Transport is being managed by SGS Automotive Uganda.

Vehicles that pass the test during the inspection are issued with certificates and will be considered for issuance or renewal of their road licenses. Those that do not pass the tests are turned back for repair.

According to the National Road Safety Council, a number of road accidents in the country are attributed to vehicles in dangerous mechanical condition that fail the periodic inspection test.