During press briefing, Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, the Minister for Security of Uganda, accompanied by Gen. Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, provided a detailed update on the country’s transition to digital number plates and the associated Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS). The initiative aims to tackle the rising challenges related to motor vehicle ownership, security, and road safety.
Rising Challenges with Motor Vehicle Ownership
Uganda has witnessed a substantial increase in motor vehicle ownership, reaching approximately 2,145,988 vehicles as of July 3, 2024. This surge has brought along several challenges, including:
Crimes involving motor vehicles: The rise in motor vehicles has been paralleled by an increase in criminal activities utilizing these vehicles.
Road traffic accidents: The growing number of vehicles has also led to more road traffic accidents.
Multiple number plates and forgeries: Issues like multiple registrations and fake number plates have become more prevalent.
Tracking and law enforcement difficulties: The lack of sufficient evidence regarding vehicles used in crimes has hindered law enforcement efforts.
Administrative inefficiencies: Managing and administering motor vehicles has been hampered by a lack of a reliable database, poor quality control, insufficient technical staff, and distorted reporting structures.
The Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS)
To address these challenges, the Government of Uganda has partnered with the Joint Stock Company “Global Security” to implement the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS). The ITMS aims to:
Enhance vehicle recognition: Facilitate the quick and timely identification of vehicles involved in criminal activities.
Improve traffic management: Streamline and manage traffic effectively.
Boost revenue collection: Increase efficiency in the issuance of traffic tickets, thus enhancing revenue collection.
Components and Implementation of the ITMS
A key feature of the ITMS is the issuance of new digital registration plates, which include the following components:
Two aluminium registration plates: For the front and back of the vehicle.
A Tracker: To monitor the vehicle’s location.
A Sim-chip: For communication and data transmission.
Two Bluetooth beacons: For both the front and back of the vehicle.
Snap locks: For secure attachment of the plates.
These components will enable real-time tracking of all vehicles on the ITMS Platform at the Police Command Centers in Naguru and Nateete. This will allow the government to trace and resolve vehicle-related crimes and traffic offenses promptly.
Progress and Future Plans
Since the agreement between the Government and Joint Stock Global Security Company was signed nearly three years ago, significant progress has been made, although logistical challenges have slowed the rollout. By June 26, 2024, a total of 1,091 vehicles from various ministries had been fitted with the new registration plates.
Currently, Uganda has:
107,014 registration plates
3,662 trackers
17,679 BLE beacons
More components are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. In the interim, a facility in Kawempe has been established for the local production of registration plates. This facility is equipped with four hot stamping machines, four embossment machines, and will soon receive blank plates and hot stamping materials with security features.
Additionally, construction of fitment centers at the Mutukula and Malaba border points is ongoing.
Phased Roll-Out Plan
The government has outlined a phased roll-out plan for the new registration plates:
November 1, 2024:Issuance of new registration plates to new motorcycles will commence.
January 6, 2025: Full roll-out to all categories of vehicles and motorcycles will begin.
Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi’s detailed briefing highlights Uganda’s commitment to modernizing its vehicle registration and monitoring system to enhance security, improve traffic management, and increase revenue collection. The implementation of the ITMS and the introduction of digital number plates represent significant steps towards addressing the challenges posed by the rapid increase in motor vehicle ownership in the country.