KAMPALA — The Commissioner for Transport and Road Safety, Winston Katushabe, has directed Traffic Police to immediately impound heavy-duty vehicles fitted with illegally installed horns that produce excessively loud sounds and headlights that dazzle other road users.
Katushabe said the crackdown is aimed at curbing dangerous modifications to trucks that compromise road safety and put other motorists at risk.
The directive was issued during a meeting with truck owners, vehicle dealers, manufacturers and drivers, where concerns were raised over the increasing use of powerful horns and high-intensity headlights on heavy-duty vehicles.
According to Katushabe, some truck operators have installed horns that produce unusually loud sounds, frightening motorists and other road users when activated.
He also warned against the use of headlights that are improperly fitted or excessively bright, saying they can temporarily blind motorists travelling in the opposite direction and potentially cause crashes.
Katushabe instructed Traffic Police to enforce the directive immediately, including interdicting and impounding vehicles found with the illegal modifications.
The Commissioner urged truck owners and drivers to ensure their vehicles comply with approved safety standards and desist from making modifications that could endanger other road users.
He further called on vehicle dealers and manufacturers to ensure that trucks supplied to the Ugandan market meet the required safety specifications.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over road safety and the behaviour of some heavy-duty vehicle operators, particularly on major highways where trucks share the road with smaller vehicles and motorcycles.
Katushabe said enforcement would target vehicles that violate safety requirements, regardless of their manufacturer or operator, as authorities seek to improve discipline and safety on Uganda’s roads.
