How Uganda’s semi-automated traffic system ITMS is going to shape the rules of the road

As Uganda’s roads become busier and more complex, the  need for smarter traffic management solutions has never been greater. In a move aimed at reducing corruption, improving efficiency, and enhancing road safety, the Uganda Police—working in con- junction with the Ministry of Works and Transport— has rolled out the Intelli- gent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), complete with a new module called EPSauto.

We caught up with Kwitonda Allan, Com- munications Manager of ITMS, to better under- stand how this system is transforming traffic law enforcement, what drivers can expect, and how the technology aims to bring order to Uganda’s often chaotic roads.

  What exactly is ITMS, and how does the EP- Sauto module fit into the broader traffic enforce- ment strategy?  

It is a project by the government of Uganda Under Ministry of Works and Transport Contract- ed by Joint Stock Global Company designed to enhance road safety and streamline transport management.  EPS-auto (Express Penalty Scheme) is one of the modules of ITMS that helps the police monitor road traffic through a so- phisticated and intelligent infrastructure.  

Why did the Uganda Po- lice decide to semi-au- tomate traffic violation detection at this point in time?  

Previously, traffic fines were issued manually by traffic officers, which left room for inconsistencies and inefficiencies. With the new system, cameras capture vehicle number plates, and this data is sent to the system for interpretation. A police officer then verifies the offence, and a fine is is- sued via SMS or email. The process is now quicker, more accurate, and hard- er to manipulate.  

How does the system ensure the accuracy of captured violations— especially in cases of number plate misreads or unclear evidence?  

The ticket issued includes key details: the exact lo- cation and time of the of- fence, as well as an image capturing the violation.  This applies to both old and new number plates, and covers all categories of motorists, including boda boda riders.   Can a driver contest a fine if they believe the system made an error? If so, what is the process? Yes, motorists who believe they’ve been wrongly penalised have the right under Ugandan law to contest the fine in court.  

How are vehicle owners identified and notified about offences—espe- cially those who might not have registered emails or updated phone numbers?

The Uganda Police has developed a mobile application through which drivers are encouraged to  register their vehicle de- tails. This helps them stay updated on any traffic violations linked to their vehicles.  

What measures are in place to ensure that people in rural or less tech-savvy areas can access and understand these notifications?  

We are carrying out mass sensitisation campaigns. Additionally, while in- frastructure is currently concentrated in central regions, there are plans to expand the camera net- work to other parts of the country to ensure broader coverage.  

What steps has the police taken to make the payment process us-  er-friendly and corrup- tion-free?

 The system is designed with user-friendliness and accountability in mind. Police officers have undergone specialised training, and the system features a three-step au- thentication process for fine issuance, along with a secure audit trail stored on multiple servers. No  officer has the authority to delete system files.  

Are there plans to in- troduce any incentives for prompt payment or penalties for repeat offenders?  

Yes. If a fine isn’t paid within 72 hours, a 50% surcharge is added. The intention is to promote timely compliance.  

What is the overall aim of this initiative?  

The main goal is to instil better road discipline among Ugandans—par- ticularly boda boda riders, who are often the most notorious violators. Notably, fines are issued per offence and per location. If you run a red light in Lugogo and again in Nakasero, you’ll receive separate fines for each.  

Are there safeguards to prevent wrongful vehicle impoundment due to system or human error?

Yes. Although the system is largely automated, human oversight remains vital. Officers are sta- tioned to verify incidents that require context or further interpretation.  As the system, aided by machine learning, contin- ues to adapt to Uganda’s road environment, human checks ensure fairness.  

What does the Uganda Police hope to achieve in the first year of imple- menting EPSauto under ITMS?  

We aim to increase public awareness and engage- ment. So far, we’ve held stakeholder meetings with boda boda chairper- sons, taxi operators, and bus companies to ensure that information about the system is widely dissem- inated.   Are there plans to expand the system’s capabilities beyond over-speeding and red light violations?  Yes. While the current focus is on speeding and red light offences, future updates will include enforcement for illegal  U-turns, failure to wear seatbelts, and more— depending on public reception and system performance.

Transport Monitoring System (ITMS)