Operation Ganyegenya takes a Pause.

[Eronda]

Police have explained why Operation Ganyegenya, a 100-day crackdown on dangerous and unroadworthy public service vehicles, has so far been enforced on only one day since its launch last week

The operation began on August 24, four days after the ministry of Works and Transport directed a crackdown on public service vehicles operating in dangerous mechanical conditions.

During the first enforcement exercise, police impounded 178 commuter taxis across the Kampala metropolitan area.

However, the operation has not been conducted daily because police do not have sufficient space to accommodate the large number of vehicles being impounded, Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura said.

“It would have been a challenge to continue impounding vehicles every day when we don’t have space to put them, because there are very many. So we have decided to impound, carry out inspections, release them, and then go back to carry out another enforcement,” Kananura said.

Vehicles found with defects are handed back to their owners for repairs before being subjected to a second inspection. Kananura said the process begins with a physical inspection and that vehicles requiring repairs are released to their owners without number plates.

The vehicles must then return for a second inspection using specialised equipment. If they pass, the number plates are returned and the vehicles are allowed back on the road.

“We have to inspect them and hand them over to the owners for repairs, clear the space, then we can go back on the road and carry out another round of enforcement,” Kananura said.
Source: Observer