Drivers in east can’t get driving permits

Jun 17, 2009

DRIVING permit applicants in eastern Uganda are stranded after Face Technologies, the service provider, closed shop in Mbale town recently.

By Daniel Edyegu
and Cyprian Musoke

DRIVING permit applicants in eastern Uganda are stranded after Face Technologies, the service provider, closed shop in Mbale town recently.

The closure came after the Uganda Revenue Authority ordered the company to pay sh5b in tax arrears.


A manager said on Tuesday the company might close all up-country branches if the issue is not resolved.

Face Technologies said its tax matters were being handled by UNISIS, a management company.

However, UNISIS closed shop sometime back. Face Technologies was contracted by the Government in 2006 to issue computerised permits in an attempt to check rampant forgeries.

Located in Nakawa, Kampala, the firm has branches in Jinja, Mbale, Mbarara, Gulu and Fort Portal, employing about 100 people.

Dozens of applicants who yesterday thronged the company’s Mbale offices found a notice: ‘temporary closure’ glued to the door. The notice said the facility was under review. “However, applicants whose permits are due for collection can come and collect them,” it read.

Disgruntled applicants, some who had travelled from as far as Katakwi, Soroti, Moroto, Nakapiripirit and Pallisa districts, complained loudly.

“This is ridiculous,” said John Epenu, a customer.

“I have been travelling up and down from Soroti since March to process my driving permit without success because the officials kept on telling me that the computer network had a problem.”

He said he had already spent sh180,000 on the permit. “I don’t know where to reclaim the money.”

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