Govt Starts Nationwide Consultations on Electronic Penalty System

By Peterson Hiirya

Government has launched nationwide consultations with transport sector stakeholders ahead of the planned relaunch of the Electronic Penalty System (EPS) and Fine Issuance System (FIS), following public concerns that led to the earlier suspension of the automated traffic enforcement programme.

The consultations, which began on Monday, March 16, are being conducted by the Ministry of Works and Transport to address issues raised by motorists and other road users during the initial rollout.

Ms Susan Kataike, the ministry’s spokesperson, said the engagement process aims to ensure that the system is improved before it is reinstated.

“The Ministry of Works and Transport is carrying out countrywide consultations. Over 90 per cent of the issues raised by the public were genuine concerns, and they have been rectified,” she said.

“What needs to be taken back to Cabinet and Parliament for discussion will be submitted to ensure alignment with public recommendations. We await contributions from all stakeholders. The ministry will not re-launch EPS and FIS until we are on the same page,” she added.

The ministry’s review identified several operational gaps that contributed to public dissatisfaction during the system’s first implementation.

Among the issues cited were insufficient road signage, limited public awareness prior to the rollout, the 72-hour deadline for paying fines, and the 50 percent surcharge applied after the deadline lapses.

Other complaints included confusion over the 30 kilometres-per-hour speed limit in designated safety zones, discrepancies between speed camera readings and posted speed limits, and the issuance of multiple receipts during the early stages of the system.

Last Wednesday, the Minister of Works and Transport, Katumba Wamala, met leaders representing taxi operators, bus companies, truck drivers and boda boda riders to review a draft report assessing the initial rollout.

Officials said some of the problems had been corrected before the system was suspended, while others have since been addressed during the ongoing review.

The ministry also acknowledged complaints about the lack of a mechanism for motorists to lodge complaints electronically. Authorities say a new system is being developed to allow road users to challenge penalties online without physically interacting with enforcement officers.

“We need to limit human interaction with the system and move towards full automation,” the ministry said in a statement summarising the review findings.

Government officials noted that more than 90 percent of the concerns raised by the public were valid and have been incorporated into the revised framework for the system.

Upcoming consultations will involve transport associations, local leaders, motorists and other stakeholders across the country. Matters requiring policy adjustments will be forwarded to Cabinet and Parliament before the system is reinstated.

Authorities say the automated traffic enforcement system is designed to improve road safety by detecting speeding and other traffic violations through surveillance cameras and issuing electronic fines.

Officials also defended the broader objective of the programme, urging citizens to support measures aimed at reducing road accidents.

“We can compromise on convenience, but we cannot compromise on safety and security,” the ministry said.

According to traffic police data for 2025, road crashes in Uganda claim an average of 12 lives daily, with speeding and reckless driving cited as the leading causes of accidents.

Government officials say the EPS and FIS are now expected to be relaunched under a more transparent and inclusive framework following adjustments to operational procedures, enhanced public awareness campaigns and the introduction of electronic complaint handling mechanisms.