Ugandan car dealers welcome bill banning importation of vehicles over 15 years old

KAMPALA, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan car dealers on Friday welcomed the proposed law banning the importation of cars manufactured more than 15 years ago.

Marvin Ayebale, secretary general of Associated Motor Dealers, said there must be a limit on every sort of junk coming into the country.

Chris Obore, the director of communications and public affairs at Uganda's Parliament, told Xinhua that bill is aimed at promoting road safety.

"The essence (of the bill) is to regulate traffic and promote road safety in the country," said Obore.

The East African country registers at least 20,000 accidents with over 2,000 deaths each year, making it one of the countries with the highest road accident fatality rates in the world, according to police figures.

The act exempts heavy vehicles such as breakdown lorries, crane lorries, road sweeper lorries, fire fighting vehicles, concrete mixer lorries, spraying lorries, mobile workshops and forklifts among others.

Armored vehicles, agricultural and forestry tractors will also be exempted. Enditem