PDTU posts

Mukasa Couriers Limited, based in Mengo, Kampala, is a key Ugandan transport and logistics firm which carries out trucking operations for the likes of Total Energies. The standards it requires from its HGV drivers are above the national minimum standards in Uganda and there are frequently challenges with finding adequately skilled drivers.

The GIZ funded Professional Driver Training Project in Uganda (PDTU), implemented by Transaid and Safe Way Right Way, aims to address the shortage of appropriate skilled drivers by building the capacity of at least 12 HGV driver trainers in Uganda to be able to deliver training in line with the East African Community Standardised Curriculum for drivers of larger commercial vehicles ahead of its adoption by EAC member states.

Mukasa Couriers Limited committed to a partnership with Transaid and in so doing, agreed to send a proportion of its drivers to be trained by trainers linked to a specialist HGV training school which has been set up by the PDTU and has been providing training to drivers since May 2018. Eric Mbaalya, the Transport Manager at Mukasa decided to challenge the trainers by sending five newly recruited drivers to undergo training.

“The new drivers that went through the training are already giving tips to the other more experienced drivers – they are better than our most experienced drivers.”

All new drivers at Mukasa Couriers Limited generally undergo a probationary period of six months during which they accompany senior drivers and rarely get to spend much time behind the wheel.

“We rarely give trucks to the new drivers, but those that did the training already have them, after only being with us for three months.”

One thing that Eric particularly liked about the training was that the trainers can deliver the training in local languages so that the drivers fully understand what they are supposed to be doing. He also appreciated the fact that the trainers have driving experience and therefore a knowledge of the day to day challenges experienced by drivers on Uganda’s roads.

“Deo [PDTU Trainer] is very perfect. He understands drivers.”

Mukasa Couriers Limited are continuing to support the PDTU by sharing their drivers’ telematics data. By monitoring the ongoing performance of drivers that have been trained, before and after the training, Transaid hopes to demonstrate the impact of its driver training programme in improving safe driving behaviour.

You can find more information about the PTDU here.

Kamulegeya Ronald, one of the graduates of the Professional Driver Training Uganda (PDTU) always had a dream of driving trucks ever since he was a young boy and now the now 37-year-old father of one is proud to call himself a Professional driver of Heavy Commercial Vehicles with both CM and CH permit classes. He started his training in Heavy Goods Vehicles in September 2019 and managed to complete the four-week long training in October. At the time of the training, Ronald was driving a smaller truck with a construction company, but when he found out about PDTU he decided to take off time and be trained to drive bigger trucks because this would enhance his chances of getting employment.

Asked to comment about the cost of the training Ronald narrates “Once I was told how much it costs, I knew right away that the training was subsidized considering the duration of the training, maintenance costs of the trucks, the cost of fuel, and the instructor’s fees. The cost is very friendly and you get more value for the money”.

Ronald says joining the driving school has changed his driving behavior greatly and has made him pay more attention to certain things that he never used to consider before joining PDTU, “The training at PDTU has changed my road behaviour. I am more aware and considerate to other road users. Each decision is well thought through unlike before”

“I recommend the training highly.  If drivers could go into driving schools like PDTU, I am sure there would be reduced accidents on our roads”, Ronald believes that most of the accidents on our roads happen because drivers lack proper training so are prone to making mistakes some of which are fatal.” With this much needed training under his belt, he is looking for a job and is confident that will get a good one after he his current contract ends.

Safe Way Right Way will be holding the first Heavy Goods Driver Graduation Ceremony on 13^th November 2019, at the MUBS rugby grounds. The event is aimed at recognizing the pioneers of this project and looking to encourage more people to join in and get the skills that will both promote road safety as well increase chances of employability.

Nelima Muyobo is one of the female drivers that have stepped up to challenge the myth that truck driving is for men only and she has done it with such grace, elegance and determination to the admiration of many.  Earlier this year when Nelima, expressed interest in learning how to drive trucks, she was met with a setback because she could only drive automatic cars but being the determined person that she is, this did not hold her back but instead fired her up to pursue this dream that she had had for a long time. She went back to a driving school to learn how drive manual vehicles and returned to the Professional Driver Training Uganda (PDTU) Centre ready to take on the challenge and her instructors could not be more proud. 

Nelima, went on to complete her four week driving course for Heavy Good Vehicles and currently holds a CM driving permit hopes to drive trucks through East Africa and further. Narrating her experience at the training centre Nelima said “When I first came to the school, I was a little scared and did not know what to expect, but the team there was very supportive, the instructors very professional, patient and filled me with confidence. I had been driving for a long time but when I enrolled at PDTU, I released I still had so much to learn to be a better driver. The training is highly recommended.”

The 36 year old mother of two encourages women to take on this opportunity “There is still a thinking in Uganda that truck driving is for men only, but having done it myself I don’t see what should stop fellow women. I would encourage women who have this passion to use this opportunity and increase their chances of employment”

The driver training at the PDTU is based on the standardized East African Community (EAC) Curriculum is done by very experienced trainers who are deemed as some of the best in the region. To maintain the quality of training, the trainers also undergo regular remedial training by experts in field seconded by Transaid UK. The training is currently free for women and men get a 50% discount.

The PDTU is one of the initiatives from Safe Way Right Way (SWRW) aimed at improving road safety through professional driver training for Heavy Goods Vehicles and soon Passenger Service Vehicles.   PDTU was set up with support from GIZ E4D/SOGA, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation, UK Department for International Development, and the Norwegian Agency for Development.