The Security Minister, Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, has announced the government’s plan to combat corruption and bribery within government ministries and agencies by procuring body cameras for all civil servants.
These cameras will be utilized to monitor the activities of government officials.
Gen Muhwezi made this announcement while officiating at the 19th graduation ceremony of the Uganda Pentecostal University Fort Portal Campus, where over 300 students qualified in various disciplines.
Explaining the rationale behind this initiative, Gen Muhwezi said that the body cameras will be distributed to various officials, including police officers and tax collectors, to monitor their actions while on duty.
He mentioned the importance of technological advancements in the digital age, stating that these measures, aided by artificial intelligence, will make it more challenging for individuals to engage in corrupt practices such as accepting bribes.
“We are going to have body cameras for government officials like police , tax collectors so that we can see what these officers are doing, that way, therefore taking bribes is going to be difficult. This is because of artificial intelligence. “he stated
This move follows the recent introduction of digitized number plates aimed at curbing crime, particularly among offenders who utilize vehicles to flee crime scenes.
Gen Muhwezi also stressed that the digitalization of number plates and the implementation of tracking devices on vehicles will not only deter criminal activities but also facilitate the apprehension of perpetrators.
Addressing concerns about privacy, Gen Muhwezi clarified that the focus is on monitoring public actions, such as vehicle movements, rather than intruding into individuals’ private lives.
He assured the public that these measures are essential for enhancing security and combating criminal activities effectively.
“You will nolonger loose your vehicle because whoever touches it will be seen and known. You cant change number plates and fix it on another car because it will have a digitalized number plate with a tracker. It has nothing to do with privacy because we are not seeing what you are doing in your car. Therefore criminals who have been using boda bodas will not run away” he added
In November 2023, the government officially launched the digital number plates initiative, following President Yoweri Museveni’s directive authorizing the Russian firm, Joint Stock Company Global Security, to implement a compulsory digital surveillance system.
However, details regarding the specific features of the new digital number plates remain undisclosed, raising questions about the project’s transparency and efficacy.
Despite the government’s efforts to introduce advanced surveillance systems, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of clarity regarding the implementation and functionality of these initiatives.
Experts have highlighted the need for transparency and comprehensive information dissemination to ensure the public’s trust and confidence in these security measures.
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