We are collecting tailpipe emissions data from vehicles in Uganda, to build a database that demonstrates how used vehicles in Uganda and Africa at large; operating under certain conditions and road infrastructure do emit exceedingly beyond manufacturers' specified limits. This gives us an engagement point with policy and development agencies to foster extensive regulatory and policy reforms towards clean, sustainable mobility.

In partnership with Makerere University’s AirQo project and several garages around Kampala, data is collected and analysed from vehicles including 2-3 wheelers (boda-boda & tuk-tuk), 2-4 axle vehicles mostly involved in goods and public transportation. We are gearing up to include heavy duty trucks with more than 4 axles as well.

Data collection involves using a combination of manual/physical inspections, onboard testing with Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS) for unburned Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Oxygen (O2) and Carbon Dioxide CO2); plus, vehicle On-board Diagnostics version two (OBD-II) to access data logged by the engine control units (ECUs).

The last phase of this workstream was supported by the UK’s FCDO under the High Volume Transport Research Program.