By Aggrey Baba
Uganda’s new digital number plate system under the Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS) is beginning to show real impact, with the latest example being the successful recovery of a stolen car, thanks to the technology’s advanced tracking features.
According Uganda Police’s Micheal Kananura, the car, a Toyota Fielder bearing digital number plates UA812AW, was stolen from Buloba, along Mityana Road, on May 26. However, it didn’t take long before the same car was located and recovered from Ntawo, in Mukono District.
Police, working together with the ITMS team, reportedly used the real-time tracking system that comes with the new number plates to locate the car, and the moment the case was reported at the Central Police Station (CPS), the officers in charge acted fast and alerted the ITMS command center.
The digital plate system, which is fitted with GPS tracking, immediately began relaying signals, showing the car’s movement until it was finally traced and recovered.
Ms. Ayesiga Priscah Pearl, the Public Relations and Communications Officer at ITMS, said the system is designed to assist police in such cases where time is critical.
“When a vehicle or motorcycle is lost or stolen, it’s essential to report it to the nearest police immediately,” she explained. “This allows them to register the incident with the CID and initiate an investigation, increasing the chances of recovery. By reporting promptly, you can help the police track down your vehicle and bring it back to its rightful owner.”
SP Michael Kananura, the Community Liaison and Public Relations Officer at the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, also praised the coordination between the public, the police, and ITMS in recovering the vehicle, emphasizing the broader role of ITMS in improving both public safety and combating vehicle-related crimes.
“The Intelligent Transport System (ITMS) is not only instrumental in improving road safety but also plays a vital role in enhancing public security and combating vehicle-related crimes,” Kananura said, urging the public to always report such incidents promptly to allow for immediate response and tracking.
The ITMS project was launched as a joint effort between the Ministry of Works and Transport and Uganda Police, with the goal of using technology to reduce road accidents, stop vehicle-related crime, and improve enforcement of traffic laws.
The digital number plates are fitted with special electronic chips that link directly to a central system, able to tell who owns which vehicle, what route it has taken, and even record if the vehicle has broken any traffic rules.
It should be recalled that ITMS isn’t only about digital number plates but it also has a lot to do with EPSAuto which seeks to enforce discipline among motorists in order to promote road safety for all road users across the country. It was made clear recently during the road safety conference in Munyonyo that the main aim of all these reforms is not to punish motorists but to make roads safer for everyone.
There was a lot of referencing on latest road safety figures whereby Uganda records more than 25,000 road accidents each year, with over 5,000 deaths. The report from the Traffic Police shows that 44.5% of these deaths are caused by reckless driving and over-speeding.
Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala said during the same event that the ITMS system is not intended to make life harder for people, but to improve safety and protect lives and property.
“Our roads are getting better, but people are still dying because of indiscipline. We must modernize how we manage our transport system. The ITMS is here to help us save lives, reduce crime and bring discipline on the roads,” he said.
Among those who have publicly praised the system’s effectiveness is Aiden Wasajja, a long-time advocate for using science and innovation to combat crime, and X (formerly Twitter) user.
“I have always advocated for the adoption of science and technology in solving crime. I thank the IGP and his team for putting more emphasis on Tech and Science. Now see how technology helped recover a stolen car in a short period. Thank you SP Kananura and ITMS,” he wrote on X.
Following this car’s recovery, many ordinary citizens are now starting to believe in the potential of the new number plates, now that what used to take weeks or even months, now takes hours. A car disappears in Kampala and is recovered in Mukono the same day, all because it had a digital plate.
As the saying goes, “a rat that has eaten soap must be ready to bathe in salty water.” Vehicle thieves now know that stealing a car with a digital number plate is becoming more and more risky.
For motorists, the system is also expected to reduce corruption and human error in traffic enforcement, and with machines now taking up roles that were previously done manually, there is less room for bribes or favoritism.
However, authorities say the success of the system also depends on how quickly people report stolen vehicles or suspicious activity. Police and ITMS have urged the public to always go to the nearest police station when something happens, so that action can be taken fast. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
