Digital number plate backlog to be sorted by August — contractor
The pledge follows an outcry by motorists and car dealers who paid for the mandatory digital number plates, but have failed to receive them in the expected time frame.a
Nikita Novoselov the production and installation director of Joint Stock Company Global Security (JSCGS), Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama and Winston Katushabe, commissioner of transport, take a look at printed number plates. This was at the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) offices in Kyambogo. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)
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Joint Stock Company Global Security (JSCGC) has pledged to sort the digital number plate crisis by the end of next month (August).
The pledge follows an outcry by motorists and car dealers who paid for the mandatory digital number plates, but have failed to receive them in the expected time frame.
JSCGS, which is contracted by the Ugandan government to produce digitised number plates, also has the mandate of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), a programme designed to address and monitor motor vehicle and cyclist movements while on the road in Uganda.
JSCGS is reportedly sitting on an estimated sh5.7 billion collection for yet-to-be-issued 6,000 number plates for motorcycles and 2,000 for cars.
Steven Turyarugayo, the Public Relations Consultant of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), addressing the media at the ITMS office in Kyambogo on July 6. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)
Reasons for delays
On July 23, 2021, the Government entered into a 10-year contract with JSCGS to implement the ITMS aimed at enhancing security and combating crime using real-time tracking technology.
ITMS spokesperson Steven Turyarugayo told New Vision that the crisis of the number plates is due to temporary fluctuations in the production process resulting from a shortage of components, driven by disruptions in the supply chain for a particular component.
"The Middle East conflict greatly interrupted our production process because the majority of our raw material used in the manufacturing of the number plates came from Russia, Italy and Dubai," he said.
"However, we have diversified the logistics to receive the number plates' electronic components via Oman and Qatar, which allows us to stabilise the supply chain and fully implement our obligations."
He also revealed that flight cancellations due to the Ebola outbreak in Uganda stalled delivery of some components of the number plates.
During a closed-door meeting at JSCGS offices in Kyambogo, Kampala last week, JSCGS officials informed works and transport minister Fred Byamukama that they have a capacity of producing only 2,500 number plates per month.
Byamukama was accompanied by Winstone Katushabe, the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety and other ministry officials.
The minister expressed disappointment with JSCGS's production rate.
"Ugandans have lost billions to the bond owners, and the bond owners have lost billions to JSCGS. This money goes to the contractor's account and both the Ugandans and bond operators are worried," said Byamukama.
JSCGS production and installation director Nikita Novoselov pledged that in three weeks, the number plate crisis will be sorted, including the backlog in number plates.