By Michael Wanyama | Team Leader
In Uganda’s capital, Kampala, air pollution has become a silent killer, with transport emissions being a major culprit. Children walking to school breathe in harmful fumes, and mechanics working in roadside garages suffer from prolonged exposure to toxic pollutants. At Autosafety Uganda, we are committed to tackling this crisis head-on by improving vehicle emissions control, advocating for cleaner transport policies, and training the next generation of mechanics in sustainable automotive technologies. Thanks to the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), between mid 2023 and late 2024 we made major breakthroughs in our mission.
With funding from FCDO, we launched a vehicle emissions testing and data collection initiative that assessed vehicles in Kampala’s busiest transport corridors. The findings were alarming; over 70% of tested vehicles exceeded safe emission limits, releasing high levels of black carbon, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide; pollutants linked to respiratory diseases and climate change. Armed with this data, we engaged local policymakers, urging them to strengthen emissions regulations and enforcement. The project also provided technical training to over 500 local mechanics, equipping them with the skills to diagnose and fix high-emission vehicles, helping to reduce pollution at its source.
Beyond data and policy, this initiative created real impact for ordinary Ugandans. Kabali, a 28-year-old mechanic, used to struggle with limited knowledge of modern vehicle diagnostics. After receiving emissions control training through our program, he not only improved his business but also became an advocate for clean air in his community. Today, Kabali and many others are transforming the industry from within, ensuring that vehicles on Uganda’s roads are safer and cleaner.
This project was a big push in our journey to pave way for clean air in Kampala. The demand for our work is growing, and we are now seeking support to scale our core activities; expanding emissions testing, training more mechanics, and piloting electric vehicle retrofitting as a long-term clean transport solution. With additional funding, we can test and improve more vehicles, create green jobs, and push for stronger air quality policies that protect millions of Ugandans from transport-induced pollution.
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