transportation 16 June 2026 Nile Post
Uganda to Launch First National Motorcycle Helmet Testing Lab
Uganda is set to establish its first national motorcycle helmet testing laboratory, operated by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), to enhance safety and combat counterfeit products. The facility aims to ensure helmets meet international safety standards and reduce road crash fatalities. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/348861/uganda-to-establish-first-national-motorcycle-helmet-testing-laboratory
Uganda is on the cusp of a significant advancement in road safety with the planned establishment of its inaugural national motorcycle helmet testing laboratory. This facility, to be managed by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), is a strategic move to bolster the quality of motorcycle helmets available in the country.
The initiative, announced at a stakeholder meeting involving the Ministry of Works and Transport, Safe Way Right Way, and the FIA Foundation, aims to ensure that helmets sold and used in Uganda adhere to globally recognized safety benchmarks. The laboratory will test helmets against Uganda Standard US 774, as well as international ECE 22.05 and ECE 22.06 requirements.
Operated by UNBS, the laboratory will strengthen conformity assessment, market surveillance, and consumer protection. It is expected to play a crucial role in curbing the circulation of counterfeit and substandard helmets, thereby reducing road crash fatalities, which are disproportionately high among motorcycle, or ‘boda boda’, users.
This collaborative effort will see Safe Way Right Way and its partners providing technical guidance and capacity building, while the Ministry of Finance will facilitate budget allocations. Enforcement agencies, led by the Traffic Police, will utilize the lab’s findings to remove non-compliant helmets from the market and enforce regulations on the road.
Furthermore, a helmet verification system is in the pipeline. This system will allow consumers to authenticate helmets via QR codes or USSD codes before purchase, automatically alerting UNBS to suspected counterfeit products and aiding enforcement actions with location-based intelligence.
This laboratory represents a critical intervention to improve road safety and public health outcomes in Uganda, where motorcycles are a primary mode of transport. Its success hinges on continued collaboration between government bodies, development partners, and the public.