Editor's Review

In a recent case, a driver was slapped with a Ksh47 million fine for violating axle load regulations on Mombasa Road.

Uganda's President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has initiated plans to adopt a system implemented in Kenya which has seen several motorists fined millions for violation. 

Museveni's administration kickstarted the process by deploying a team of experts and officials from Uganda National Roads Authority to bench the country's Axle Load enforcement measures. 

Uganda's team was led by Engineer Michael Ochola, who oversees Bridges and Structures at the Uganda National Roads Authority. 

They engaged with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) which has been implementing the axle load policy and fining motorists millions for a single breach.

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KeNHA official explaining to his Ugandan counterparts how different fines are imposed on Wednesday January 24, 2024. PHOTO | COURTESY

"The Kenya National Highways Authority Director General, Eng. Kungu Ndungu, MBS hosted a crucial delegation from Uganda, for a benchmarking mission on weighbridge management," the statement read in part.

"The meeting is aimed at facilitating the exchange of ideas on Axle Load enforcement measures, emphasizing the significance of harmonizing overload measures across East Africa," it added.

According to officials from the neighbouring country, the axle load rule is key in addressing transport matters as Uganda serves as a transit route for most trucks.

In Kenya, the axle load rule has landed several truck drivers in trouble. In a recent case, a driver was slapped with a Ksh47 million fine for violating axle load regulations on Mombasa Road.

Kennedy Ngungire, Senior Axle Load Controller at KeNHA noted that the truck had exceeded the normal weight of 54,000 kgs.

In yet another instance, a truck driver was fined Ksh14 million for exceeding the maximum axle load allowed in the regional trunk road network.

The East African Community Vehicle Load Control (Enforcement Measures), Regulations 2018 prescribe the minimum and maximum overloading fees.

Trucks found overloaded up to 20 kilogrammes are fined $45,546.65 (Sh5.6 million) while the maximum penalty is $375,266.60 (Sh46 million).

The system was adopted to protect roads from destruction, especially trucks ferrying goods exceeding the stipulated weight.