EPS Auto reforms pending as review continues

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The Ministry of Works and Transport has confirmed that the review process of the Express Penalty System (EPS Auto) is still underway, following its temporary suspension in June due to widespread public concern.

In a statement issued on Sunday, July 13, the Ministry said the suspension, first announced on June 12 by minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, was aimed at facilitating a comprehensive review of the EPS Auto system and its associated traffic enforcement regulations.

The move came amid a wave of complaints from road users, particularly public service vehicle operators, over what they described as harsh and inconsistently applied penalties.

“The goal of the suspension is to allow for a comprehensive review of the system, regulations, and operational gaps before reinstating implementation,” the Ministry said.

Multi-agency consultations involving the Uganda Police Force, Kampala Capital City Authority, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and technical partners have since identified a number of issues now under scrutiny. These include system errors, inconsistencies in speed limits, payment timelines, and the structure of fees and surcharges.

Technical and legal committees have been constituted to study the identified concerns and provide practical recommendations. These will be submitted to the Ministry’s top leadership and later presented to Cabinet for further consideration, public sensitisation, and eventual reimplementation.

“The public will be duly informed of the outcomes of the review process,” the Ministry said, while reiterating that existing road safety laws remain in force during the suspension.

Motorists have been urged to continue observing traffic signs and regulations, respect speed limits and pedestrian zones, and avoid reckless driving.

The Ministry expressed its commitment to establishing a fair, transparent, and citizen-centred enforcement mechanism.

The suspension followed mounting criticism of the EPS Auto system after several motorists reported being issued multiple fines for infractions like speeding and not carrying vehicle logbooks.

Some drivers reported penalties amounting to as much as sh600,000 per vehicle in a single day.

Critics argued that many of the speed limits, such as 30 km/h on Lugogo Bypass and Yusuf Lule Road in Kampala, were either poorly marked or impractical to observe under normal traffic conditions.

The EPS Auto system is part of the broader Fine Issuance System (FIS), introduced in May 2025 following a directive from the Office of the President.

The goal was to digitise traffic enforcement under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), which includes the use of digital number plates with tracking capabilities.

A Russian company, Joint Stock Company–Global Security (JSCGS), was contracted to implement the project. While the government maintained that the system would improve road safety and accountability, public backlash prompted a temporary halt to allow for wider consultations.