Museveni: Digital Number Plates Are for Fighting Crime, Not Fines

Kololo – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has firmly dismissed public concerns that Uganda’s digital number plate project is a money-making scheme, stating that its true intent is to fight crime and strengthen national security.

Speaking during the presentation of the 2025/26 National Budget at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Thursday evening, the President said the digitised number plates were being misunderstood.

“There’s been a lot of noise. People are saying they’re being fined— I hear—but I don’t know for what,” Museveni said. “Let me be clear: the issue of digital number plates is not about fines. It is about fighting crime. That is the purpose.”

The President cited the death of 45-year-old Godfrey Wayengera earlier this month as an example of why enhanced surveillance is necessary.

“This is unacceptable. We cannot continue losing our people due to gaps in infrastructure,” he said. “I remember addressing you in Parliament back in 2018. I told you—we must go technical. We need cameras, and yes, we now have them. But the challenge is that many number plates are forged. People simply cook them up and put them on the vehicles.”

He explained that the digital plates, once installed, are linked to a central command system that raises an alarm when tampered with.

“That’s their purpose. Not to raise money. Not to collect fines. But to ensure safety and security,” he added.

Museveni acknowledged that confusion may have arisen because the private companies installing the plates were allowed to recoup their investment through fines, but he insisted this was not the core of the project.

“The number plates help us track vehicles—what cars were in a particular area at a specific time. That’s how we’ll catch those who act with impunity. So let me repeat: this is about security. Not about money. Not about fines. Any other interpretation is, frankly, rubbish.”

His remarks came just hours after the Ministry of Works and Transport announced the temporary suspension of the Automated Express Penalty System (EPS Auto).

In a statement posted on social media, the Ministry said: “The implementation of the automated Express Penalty System will be temporarily suspended following a comprehensive review.”

This was after Ugandans complained about exorbitant charges.

Despite the suspension of EPS Auto, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija clarified that the Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) itself would remain in place. “The Express Penalty Scheme will stay—to reduce fatalities on roads,” the minister said.