Irene Batebe, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, has affirmed the government’s commitment to tackling urban air pollution, particularly by curbing harmful vehicle emissions in major cities.
Speaking at the launch of a study report conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with Real Urban Emissions, held at Sheraton Hotel Kampala on July 1, 2025, Batebe noted that vehicle emissions significantly contribute to poor air quality.
The report highlighted that most vehicles on Ugandan roads do not meet acceptable health and environmental standards.
“We are inherently addressing this problem as we work with ministry of works and transport to address aspects of the age limit of these vehicles, other aspects of standards and monitoring of these emissions,” she said.
“Vehicle emissions are responsible for 19% of adult deaths globally, yet countries like Uganda still lack comprehensive regulations governing these emissions,” Batebe said, emphasizing the urgent need for policy and enforcement measures.
Maraly Crow an associate researcher says that this challenge is highly due to the high number of older used vehicles imported into the country and the limited enforcement of emissions standard.
Maraly says that over 140,000 vehicles are imported in Uganda every year and that government should strengthen vehicle importation requirements, ensuring that each imported vehicle is tested to ensure euro for standards.
“There is a need for stricter import standards for used vehicles, implementation of routine vehicle inspections and maintenance programs.” He emphasized.
Uganda needs to develop a roadmap toward Euro 6 standards and modernize its aging public transport fleet to reduce vehicle-related air pollution.
