The Fleet Mechanic is a hands-on technical specialist responsible for the repair, preventive maintenance, and roadworthiness of the heavy goods vehicle fleet, comprising 10-tonne to 20-tonne ordinary trucks and reefer trucks. Reporting directly to the Fleet Coordinator, the mechanic ensures that every vehicle is maintained to the highest standard of mechanical fitness, minimizing unplanned downtime and maximizing fleet availability for transport operations.

Working within a team of four mechanics, the Fleet Mechanic carries out scheduled preventive maintenance services, diagnoses and repairs mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic faults, and responds to breakdown callouts — both within the workshop and in the field. The role demands a thorough understanding of heavy commercial vehicle systems, a disciplined approach to workshop documentation, and an unwavering commitment to safety in all workshop activities.

The Fleet Mechanic is the last line of defense before a vehicle is dispatched. Their sign-off on a job card is a declaration that the vehicle is safe, roadworthy, and fit for purpose. This responsibility is taken with the utmost seriousness, given that the fleet operates on public roads carrying loads of up to 20 tonnes

• Carry out scheduled preventive maintenance services (PMS) in accordance with the manufacturer’s service intervals and the Fleet Coordinator’s maintenance schedule — including engine oil and filter changes, fuel filter replacements, air filter services, coolant flushes, brake adjustments, and greasing of all lubrication points.
• Complete full pre-service and post-service vehicle inspections, documenting findings accurately on job cards.
• Inspect and adjust braking systems (drum and disc), including brake linings, shoes, calipers, wheel cylinders, brake chambers, and slack adjusters on air-brake systems.
• Service and inspect all lighting systems, horn, wipers, and safety equipment to ensure compliance with Ugandan vehicle fitness standards.
• Check, adjust, and replace belts, hoses, and clamps (fan belts, alternator belts, power steering hoses, radiator hoses) at prescribed intervals.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic faults on HGVs using both manual inspection and electronic diagnostic tools/OBD scanners where available.
• Carry out engine repairs including cylinder head work, timing system repairs, fuel injection system servicing, turbocharger inspection, and overheating fault resolution.
• Repair and overhaul gearbox, clutch, propeller shaft, and differential systems on manual and automatic heavy truck transmissions.
• Service and repair suspension systems including leaf springs, shock absorbers, U-bolts, torque rods, and fifth wheel coupling assemblies on articulated units.
• Diagnose and repair electrical system faults including starter motor, alternator, battery management, wiring harnesses, and trailer electrical connections.
• Repair air brake systems, including compressors, air dryers, reservoirs, relay valves, and brake chamber diaphragms.
• Carry out tyre inspections, rotations, pressure checks, and coordinate tyre replacements and retreads with the Fleet Coordinator and approved tyre suppliers.
• Carry out routine maintenance on refrigeration (reefer) units fitted to reefer trucks, including checking refrigerant levels, belts, evaporator coils, condenser units, and temperature control systems.
• Diagnose and report refrigeration unit faults beyond in-house capability to the Fleet Coordinator for escalation to a certified refrigeration engineer.
• Ensure reefer units are fully operational and temperature-verified before every cold-chain dispatch.
• Maintain a reefer unit service log recording temperature calibration checks, service history, and fault history for each unit
• Respond promptly to field breakdown callouts, either by attending the breakdown site or providing remote technical guidance to drivers to enable safe recovery.
• Carry a field service toolkit and critical fast-moving spare parts (fan belts, fuses, bulbs, brake chamber diaphragms, etc.) to enable roadside repairs where possible.
• Arrange and coordinate recovery towing for vehicles that cannot be repaired in the field, liaising with the Fleet Coordinator on logistics.
• Complete breakdown job cards on return to the workshop, documenting the fault found, parts used, repair time, and root cause.
• Open, complete, and close job cards accurately for every vehicle that enters the workshop — recording fault description, diagnosis, parts used, labour hours, and final sign-off.
• Raise parts requisitions through the Fleet Coordinator, specifying correct part numbers and quantities to avoid incorrect parts procurement.
• Return all unused parts to stores and ensure parts usage is reconciled against job cards before vehicle release.
• Maintain an accurate tool register and report any damaged, missing, or worn tools to the Fleet Coordinator immediately.
• Record defect trends, recurring faults, and component life data to support the Fleet Coordinator’s predictive maintenance planning.
• Adhere strictly to all workshop safety rules: use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including overalls, safety boots, gloves, and eye protection always.
• Follow safe working procedures for vehicle jacking, chocking, and working under elevated vehicles — no shortcuts under any circumstances.
• Handle and dispose of waste oil, coolant, tyres, batteries, and other workshop waste in accordance with environmental and occupational health requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free workshop environment; ensure tools are returned to designated storage after every job.
• Report any workshop safety hazards, near-misses, or injuries to the Fleet Coordinator immediately and participate in incident investigations.
• Conduct or support daily pre-trip vehicle inspections alongside drivers, verifying roadworthiness before departure and signing off on driver defect check sheets.
• Attend promptly to driver-reported defects on return trips, assessing each defect for immediate action or scheduling into the maintenance plan.
• Educate drivers on basic vehicle care — correct tyre inflation, coolant checks, oil level monitoring, and how to identify early warning signs of mechanical problems.

• For a Ugandan-trained professional, th