Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Cracks Down on Importation of Substandard Vehicles

Kyambadde Lawrence

Category: Economics

Read Time: 2 mins

Published: 10 November 2025

The government has intensified its efforts to clamp down on car dealers who import vehicles that are not roadworthy and fail to meet the required standards for use in the country.

The drive is being led by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards,UNBS, the agency responsible for the quality of goods imported into the country. Speaking on the matter, UNBS Eng. Pinson Baguma has issued a stern warning, stating that this time, the Bureau is taking a firm stand.

Eng. Baguma was speaking at a training session for car dealers at the Lugogo Showgrounds in Kampala. He emphasised that the law is clear and that the grace period for compliance is over, reiterating a ban on the importation of dilapidated vehicles.

"Dilapidated vehicles are a danger. Most of them come from countries like Thailand, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Africa. Many of these vehicles have already covered extremely long distances before they are shipped here as scrap."

The training, however, received mixed reactions from the dealers. Muhammad Mubiru, a car dealer, and Ivan Mutebi, the Secretary of the Associated Motor Dealers Association, expressed their concerns about the new directives from UNBS.

In a related development, UNBS has engaged experts from the Japanese company, AUTOTERMINAL JAPAN, to help inspect the quality of vehicles from their country of origin before they are shipped to Uganda. Mr Lyima Bosco, the company's representative, was available to provide details.

This is Lawrence Kyambadde for Salt Media, Kampala.

Kyambadde Lawrence

Kyambade Lawrence is a journalist with extensive experience in covering community stories, using his deep understanding of local issues to create impactful narratives. His ability to connect with the community and capture the essence of their experiences makes his stories resonate deeply with audiences, often sparking meaningful change and awareness. With a genuine commitment to highlighting the voices of those in his community, Kyambade’s work goes beyond reporting—his stories inspire action and foster a sense of connection, truly making a difference where it matters most.