Govt to roll out digital number plates this November
Jul 05, 2024
Security Minister (Rtd) Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi confirmed that the production line for these number plates has been established in Kampala and that the government is ready to meet the domestic demand for over 2.2 million vehicles.
The digital number plates to be rolled out in November. (New Vision Archive)
Nelson Mandela Muhoozi
Journalist @New Vision
________________ Security Minister (Rtd) Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi. (File Photo) Security Minister (Rtd) Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi and Works and Transport Minister Gen Katumba Wamala displaying some of the digital number plates Works and Transport Minister Gen Katumba Wamala
The government will begin the rollout of digital number plates on November 1 this year.
Initially, the digital number plates will be issued to new motorcycles, with a full rollout for all vehicle categories starting January 6, 2025.
Security Minister (Rtd) Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi confirmed that the production line for these number plates has been established in Kampala and that the government is ready to meet the domestic demand for over 2.2 million vehicles.
He said the old number plates would be phased out within two years.
During a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Thursday, Muhwezi discussed the implementation of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS). Works and Transport Minister Gen Katumba Wamala and ministry officials were present.
Project delays
Originally scheduled for March 1 this year, the project faced delays due to logistical challenges, pushing the roll-out to July 1 and subsequently further to November.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict exacerbated these logistical issues, according to the minister.
Additionally, the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) petitioned Parliament for a delay, citing insufficient public awareness and readiness, suggesting the initiative starts with government vehicles.
Vehicle registration, challenges
As of July 3, 2024, Uganda had approximately 2.15 million registered motor vehicles, a significant increase that brought challenges such as vehicle-related crimes, traffic accidents, number plate forgery, and administrative inefficiencies according to the minister.
Minister Muhwezi highlighted that efforts to address these issues have been hampered by insufficient evidence to track vehicles used in crimes and a lack of a reliable vehicle management database.
As such, the ITMS is expected to mitigate these issues, enhancing security and administrative efficiency.
Winstone Katushabe, Commissioner of Transport Regulation and Safety at the Ministry of Works and Transport stated that a joint feasibility study with the service provider confirmed that Uganda's infrastructure could support the system.
He said privacy concerns have been addressed, ensuring compliance with national laws on data protection.
Enhancing security infrastructure
CP Ezrah Mujabwami, the deputy director of ICT at the Uganda Police Forces, emphasized that the ITMS would significantly enhance the current security infrastructure.
He mentioned that the integration of the digital number plate system with CCTV and other systems such as the motor vehicle registration system, e-tax system (from URA), and NIRA database would ensure comprehensive vehicle and personal identification.
The system includes integrity checks such as access control listing, where users are limited to what they can access, and transactions are auditable.
“In case of misuse, the system can track and audit all activities, ensuring accountability. The primary goal is to enhance national security, with other considerations being secondary,” said Mujabwami.
Production facility
The Ugandan government has partnered with joint-stock company Global Security to implement the ITMS.
To support local production, a facility has been established in Kawempe, equipped with hot stamping and embossment machines, Muhwezi said.
“This facility will soon receive blank plates and hot stamping materials with security features,” he said, adding that some digital plates have already been installed on government cars, though some are pending due to capacity challenges as the plates are being imported.
The facility is expected to ramp up production, ensuring a sufficient supply of digital plates.
Muhwezi said significant progress has also been made on the motor vehicle registration system on ITMS, including booking, verification, and stock control systems.
“Enhancements to the ASYCUDA and E-Tax systems are nearing completion, facilitating pre-registration processes at the ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam and in bonds."
The government has also finalized provisions for fee assessments for new registration plates, available for use by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Fees, implementation
The fee for the first registration will be sh714,000, with a replacement fee of sh150,000 for those with old plates.
For motorcycles, the fee is sh50,000. As of June 26, 2024, 1,091 government vehicles had been fitted with the new registration plates, although logistical challenges have slowed progress.
Currently, 107,014 registration plates, 3,662 trackers, and 17,679 Bluetooth beacons are available, with more components expected soon.
Projections objectives, and future Plans
Minister Muhwezi said the ITMS project aims to enhance the identification of vehicles involved in criminal activities, enabling swift responses from security agencies and improving traffic management.
Another key goal is to boost revenue collection through traffic tickets issued to offenders.
The ITMS comprises several critical components, primarily the issuance of digital registration plates featuring advanced security features, including two aluminum plates, a tracker, a SIM chip, two Bluetooth beacons, and snap locks.
This system will enable real-time vehicle tracking on the ITMS platform, monitored by the Police Command Centers in Naguru and Nateete.
The ability to trace and apprehend vehicle-related criminals and traffic offenders will be significantly enhanced, according to Muhwezi, with the new system set to revolutionize Uganda's transport monitoring and security landscape.
He said the government continues to work on the extensive roll-out, with phased implementation and construction of fitment centers at the Mutukula and Malaba border points ongoing.