Uganda Fleet Operators Claim Poor Quality Tyres Affecting Business

Fleet Operators in Uganda believe the lacklustre quality of tyres sold in this market is affecting their businesses, and further claim tyre quality to be a major cause of accidents.

According to Ugandan daily newspaper New Vision, bus operators have, through their umbrella organisation the Allied Bus Owners Association, alleged that the frequent burst tyres experienced are occurring due to the poor quality tyres that are dominating the market. Ssebaana Kizito, the association’s chairman, stated that the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) should intervene immediately. He said UNBS should begin monitoring tyres at all sales points to ensure they are tested and proved to be genuine. Counterfeit tyres and brake pads, coupled with escalating operating maintenance and operating costs, are ongoing problems for bus operators.