Issuance of new driving permits suspended till September

Aug 07, 2017

Temporary driving permits which are issued to applicants before picking their driving permits will be used in this period

Applicants for driving permit queue up at  Face Technologies head offices in Kyambogo. File Photo

The Ministry of Works and Transport in collaboration with Face Technologies, a computerized driving permit issuance company has suspended the issuance of new driving permits.

According to Winston Katushabe, the commissioner transport regulation and safety; also serving as the chief motor vehicle licensing officer in charge of driving permits, the suspension is due to a routine process of maintaining the system.

"It is a normal routine process aimed at enhancing the security features in a bid to upgrade the driving permits. This is being done in preparation for a single card system which will enable easy identification of a person wherever they are in the world. This is therefore to conform to international standards," Katushabe said.

Asked whether the amount of money charged to acquire a driving permit will change, Katushabe said the rates will remain the same. He added that the existing driving permits remain valid but will be phased out gradually on expiry. 

He however revealed that the processing of driving permits will continue as usual but temporary driving permits which are issued to applicants before picking their driving permits will be used in this period.

"Our partners, the Uganda Police have been notified so drivers with the temporary permits will be allowed to continue using them beyond the stipulated 21 days. The system is expected to resume normal operations on the 10th of September, this year," he explained.

However, AIGP Dr. Stephen Kasiima, the Police Director in charge of traffic and road safety revealed to New Vision that he had only received verbal communication about the matter and was waiting for official communication from the Ministry.

"I have been told about the process but I can only take action after the ministry has officially written to the IGP who in turn will instruct me to communicate to the traffic officers," he stated

 

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