Ministry blames driving permit rush on speculation

PIC: A snake of a queue of mostly people looking to renew their driving permits at Face Technologies in Kampala. (Credit: Norman Katende)

KAMPALA - The ministry of works and transport has blamed the current influx for driving permit applicants at issuing stations across the country on speculation.

Alex Okello, who is the ministry's permanent secretary, said the general public was "messed" by reports that the driving permit fee was hiked to sh250,000 from sh66,000.

His ministry, he added, has not received  any communication from the finance ministry as regards the actual fees payable to different  categories  of applicants, and that they are still basing on the old rates.

Okello told reporters on Thursday that the production cost for the driving permits by the service provider Face Technologies has not increased as it is dictated by the contract terms.

He said  it is only the fees  payable  to tax body Uganda  Revenue Authority  (URA) - currently standing at sh66,000 for fresh applicants and sh56,000 for those making renewals  for three  years - that  are expected  to  be revisited  but they have not received any formal communication on that.

The 2016/2017 Finance Bill proposed  the increment of URA  fees payable for a three-year driving permit from sh66,000 to sh150,000 and its renewal moved from sh56,000 to sh130,000.

The piece of legislation further  proposed a five-year  driving permit at a cost of sh250, 000 and its renewal at sh200, 000.

Currently driving permits are being issued in respect of one and three  years  under  the 1998 Traffic and Road Safety Act  and each category is given a lifespan of five years  on issuance  to be canceled  if not renewed.

Winstone Katushabe, the secretary of the Transport Licensing Board (TLB) said Face Technologies - the company  contracted by the  government to produce  computerized  driving  permits - has for the last one week had an influx of driving permit applicants, mostly those wanting a renewal.

He said this has forced the company to extend the working hours at the headquarters in Kyambogo to 10pm.

They will be able  to communicate  to the general public in case  of  driving permit  fees  increment, added Katushabe.