The Parliamentary Forum on Road and Water Safety has resolved to present a motion in Parliament aimed at banning the movement of Sino trucks on District Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR).
This decision follows a petition from the Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA), calling for a review of the Roads Act 346 to grant ULGA the authority to manage speed limits and collect levies from motorists and heavy trucks using their roads.
The move comes after a series of discussions between officials from the Ministry of Works, led by minister Katumba Wamala, and ULGA representatives, including vice president Ibrahim Kitatta.
The meeting sought to align efforts on enforcing the Traffic and Road Safety Regulations of 2024.
A key issue raised was the ongoing damage caused by heavy trucks, particularly Sino trucks, which frequently deteriorate local roads without any penalty or compensation for repairs.
Kitatta, also the Lwengo District chairman, highlighted the strain on local government resources, stating, "The quality of roads in our local governments is undermined by heavy trucks that carry sand and minerals.
"These roads are only made for routine maintenance, not rehabilitation, and often last only two to three seasons. When heavy trucks use them, they break down, and we receive no revenue from these vehicles, which is unacceptable."
Gen Katumba and several MPs supported the call to regulate heavy truck movement, emphasizing the destructive impact these vehicles have on bridges, culverts, and local infrastructure.
He noted that this issue affects many districts nationwide, contributing to the deterioration of public service delivery.
Echoing the need for action, Robert Kasolo, MP for Iki-iki County, mentioned that similar measures were successfully implemented in Kenya, where Sino trucks were banned from local roads after a parliamentary motion.
"Our motion is coming in less than two weeks to prevent further destruction of local roads by these trucks," Kasolo said.
Sino trucks are heavy-duty vehicles commonly used for transporting large quantities of goods across the country, particularly in construction, mining, and infrastructure development sectors.
These trucks, often imported from China, are known for their robust construction and ability to carry heavy loads.
Depending on the model, Sino trucks can handle loads ranging from 10 to 40 tonnes, making them essential for hauling materials such as sand, gravel, and other construction supplies.
However, their frequent use on local roads has raised concerns due to the damage they cause to road infrastructure, especially in rural areas where the roads are not designed to withstand such heavy traffic.