The government of Uganda has launched the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) Project that will see all vehicles in Uganda re-registered and fitted with electronic number plates.
The launch of this multi-sectoral project involving the Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Security and Uganda Police is expected to bolster traceability and security for all motor vehicles and motorcycles in the country, as every motor-vehicle or motorcycle owner will be required to obtain new registration plates embedded with Bluetooth beacon chips and a tracker.
Speaking at the event held today November 1, 2023 in Kampala, the Works Minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala said the Project undertaken together with a Russian firm Joint Stock Company Global Security will deter theft of motor vehicles and vehicle related criminality through enhanced traceability, tracking and real-time feedback from the Police Command Center.
Gen. Wamala also stated that the technology will also discourage reckless driving due to monitoring thru the CCTV Camera network enhancing enforcement.
“Members who are in this room, this country spends 342million everyday on average to treat accident victims. So, this system is intended to also instill discipline in users of our roads” Gen. Wamala said adding that the ITMS Project will deter theft of motor vehicles & vehicle related criminality thru enhanced traceability, tracking & real-time feedback from the Uganda Police Command Center in Nagulu.
The minister reiterated the assurance on concerns related to privacy rights of individuals saying the ITMS system will not interfere with lives of individuals but tracing of vehicles will only be done if there is a criminal aspect attached to specific individuals.
At the launch, it was highlighted that a cross section of vehicles belonging to the Office of The President, Uganda Police and Ministry of Works have been selected to launch the ITMS Project but full rollout of the exercise is expected to commence on 1st February 2024.
Under the ITMS project, owners of new vehicles will be required to pay UGX714,300 while vehicles transiting from old number plates will cost UGX150,000 and motorcycle UGX50,000.