Parliament yesterday approved the mandatory use of digital trackers on vehicles and motorcycles in the country, as a minority group of legislators protested that not enough investigation was done on the Russian company awarded the multi-million dollar project.

In July 2021, the Government, represented by the security and transport ministries, entered an agreement with a Russian company — Messrs Joint Stock Company Global Security — to set up an Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS).

The project is aimed at enhancing crime management through detection, identification and recognition of all vehicles and motorcycles operating in the country.

However, following the signing of the agreement, MP Sarah Opendi (Tororo Woman) moved a motion for a resolution of Parliament to urge the Government to examine the implementation of the agreement for the ITMS implementation with M/S Joint Stock Company Global security to address public concerns.

The Speaker of Parliament tasked two House committees, on defence and internal affairs and that on presidential affairs, with jointly investigating the matter.

The committees were ordered to establish whether implementing the ITMS protects and preserves people’s right to privacy. They were also to determine whether value for money will be realised during the implementation of the project.

The legislators were also tasked with demonstrating the effectiveness of the project by installing the ITMS trackers on government vehicles, motorcycles and passenger service vehicles, including taxis, before the roll-out is done. The committee was also asked to carry out an exhaustive investigation into the existence and operations of M/S Joint Stock Company Global Security.

Presenting the joint committee findings, Robert Kasolo, the vice-chairperson of the parliamentary committee on physical infrastructure, said the committee had established that the agreement was to promotion of Uganda’s security system for the protection of Ugandans.

“The committee observed that the right to privacy is among the rights the State can interfere with. Such a right is not absolute and the State is clothed with powers to interfere where necessary for the public interest within what is acceptable and demonstrably justifiable,” Kasolo said.

The MPs in their report, however, recommended that the Government sensitise the public on the benefits of the ITMS system in crime management.

The Parliament of Uganda

Following the gruesome killings committed by criminals using unidentified vehicles and motorcycles in 2018, President Yoweri Museveni addressed Parliament and presented 10 measures that the Government would take to fight the escalating crime, among them smart number plates and a smart tracking system for motor vehicles and motorcycles countrywide.

There was an uproar last year when it emerged that motorists would be required to pay sh735,000 to acquire the new numberplate.

Value For Money

On whether there will be value for money, the committee established that the total investment of the ITMS project would amount to $257m (sh957.4b) and the investor would bear the entire cost.

However, the committee observed that the investor intends to recover this cost through fines and fees provided in the financial model.

The money will cater for initial capital investments for acquiring cameras, speed radars, smart registration plates, electronic devices, control rooms and software.

“The Government will provide the land on which the facility’s headquarters will be set up. No financial investments or guarantees will be required from the Government of Uganda,” Kasolo explained.

According to the report, only policy support and integration with existing security infrastructure and legislative support will be expected as support from the Government.

Under the agreement, the operational 10-year contractual period will see the investor recover its investment.

“Expected revenue of approximately $974m will be from speeding violations, traffic fines and penalties, sale of digital registration plate fees,” read the report.

The legislators recommended that all fines collected under the agreement go into the Consolidated Fund and be appropriated by Parliament as required by the law.

The model proposes to raise $390m from fines. According to the breakdown, speed violations will fetch sh250,000, stop line/makings — sh70,000, turn out under the sign — sh70,000 and red right — sh130,000.

The MPs, however, proposed that the fines in the financial model be harmonised with the provisions of the traffic and road safety (express penalty scheme for road traffic offenders) regulations, 2004.

The committee observed that Virtus Global Security Company Limited is registered in Uganda, with M/S Joint Stock Company Global Security being the majority shareholder.

However, in his minority report Roland Ndyomugyenyi (Rukiga County) disagreed with the joint committee report, saying not enough was done in investigating the company.

In the dissent report, which was signed by about eight MPs, stated that no proper consultations were done with stakeholders, recommending that the implementation of the project be delayed.

However, security minister Jim Muhwezi told Parliament that the Government had since rolled out the programme for security.

Muhwezi said the contractor had piloted the installation of the trackers in different vehicles during an exercise that began on February 2 last year.

“We have a responsibility for security and we cannot compromise on that,” he said, adding that the Government would take into consideration Parliament’s recommendations.

How It Will Work

To implement the system, all vehicles will be re-registered and issued new number plates with the tracking device embedded.

“The public will be informed when each vehicle will be called for re-registration and to get new number plates. The vehicles will have a monitoring system and there will be a digital system in the number plate for communication between a monitor in the car,the number plate and the centre,” Security minister Gen. Jim Muhwezi said.

The device uses Global Positioning Systems (GPS satellites) to pinpoint the vehicle or equipment’s location. The information gathered from the vehicle is stored on the device inside it. The data is then transmitted by a wireless or cellular network. GPS tracking gives three separate data sets: positioning, navigation and timing.

Automobile owners will bear the cost of re-registration.

“As you know, registration is not free of charge... anybody who owns a vehicle will, meet that charge... it won’t cost more than the usual registration of a vehicle getting a number plate. It will be within the means of the vehicle owners,” Muhwezi said.

The new system will also see data of all driving permit holders from Face Technologies integrated with the ones of Police and Uganda Revenue Authority to help track defaulters.