Uganda – Develop capacity to enforce mandatory heavy duty vehicle inspections

Rationale

Uganda has recorded a high growth rate of motorised vehicles in the past decade, rising from a low of 739,036 units in 2012 to a high of 1,355,090 units in 2022. The majority of these vehicles are second hand imports from Japan. 

The high average vehicle age has contributed to declining fuel economy and high pollutant emissions.  According to Uganda's Updated NDC (2022), overall transport sector GHG emissions was  4.2 MtCO2e in 2015, and this is projected to grow by more than 100% to 9.6 MtCO2e in 2030 if no mitigation measures are implemented. 

Following the adoption of EURO 4/IV vehicle emissions standards by the East Africa Community (EAC) in July 2022, Uganda has set a national sulphur fuel standard of 50ppm for diesel, which is captured in its National Environment (Air Quality) Standards. 

The standards provide for minimum Euro 4/IV emission limits for new motor vehicles (locally assembled or imported)  and imported used vehicles. In addition, the standards have established graduated exhaust emission limits for in-use vehicles. Uganda has prioritised implementation of these standards & regulations to tackle rising greenhouse gas and short-lived climate pollutant emissions from different sectors including transport. 

This project responds to a request made by the Ministry of Water and Environment of Uganda to build capacity for the implementation of EURO 4/IV emission standards.

Objectives

This project aims to:

• Enable The Government of Uganda to endorses a mandatory vehicle inspection programme.
• Increase the capacity of relevant government authorities in Uganda to implement the national sulphur fuel standard for heavy-duty vehicles and engines .

Activities

At a minimum, the project is expected to build capacity within key government authorities in Uganda to implement the standards, including through a mandatory vehicle inspection programme. The project should also, in parallel, outline a roadmap to stricter EURO 6/VI standards.

To achieve these objectives the project will:

• Conduct a high-level national launch workshop to introduce the project to stakeholders and obtain top-level political support. 
• Conduct a review of institutional arrangements and national regulations and standards. 
• Develop an integrated greenhouse gas (GHG) and short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) inventory of HDVs and engines and emissions  
• Develop a proposal for the development of a national vehicle inspection programme. 
• Develop recommendations for implementing the EAC EURO IV standards for heavy-duty vehicles and eventually for moving to EURO VI.
• Provide training to government authorities on vehicle inspection and maintenance programs following international best practices. 
• Hold a national workshop with relevant government departments and agencies to disseminate the key findings of the project. 

Project reference: [UG-23-004] Uganda – Develop capacity to enforce mandatory heavy-duty vehicle inspections.