By Aggrey Baba
The Government of Uganda has moved to reassure motorists following public complaints over the recently launched Electronic Penalty System (EPSAuto), a modern digital enforcement tool operating under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS).
Since deployment of EPSAuto began in high-traffic areas, some road users have expressed concern over multiple traffic tickets received in a short time, mostly for over-speeding, red light violations, and failure to carry required documents.
Officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) and Uganda Police are urging the public not to panic, emphasizing that the system is not meant to punish drivers, but rather to restore road order and save lives.
According to Ayesiga Priscah Pearl, the Public Relations Officer at ITMS, the system operates on a simple principle, where, If you follow the traffic rules, you won’t be penalised. “The cameras only pick up violations.” She recently explained to Mulengera News, adding that EPSAuto is already active and issuing digital tickets based on infractions captured by high-resolution cameras, without the need for physical traffic officers on the road.
The ITMS is a major government investment aimed at transforming traffic enforcement through modern technology, with EPSAuto, as a key pillar of ITMS, automatically detecting offences like overspeeding and red light jumping, sending penalty notifications directly to vehicle owners via SMS.
Allan Ssempebwa, Senior Communications Officer at MoWT recently clarified that the aim is to save lives, not make money or inconvenience drivers.
“We are losing over 5,000 people every year to road crashes, and 44.5% of those deaths are caused by speeding. This system will help us reverse that tragedy,” he said.
He added that enforcement through ITMS eliminates the old complaints of bribery and selective targeting by traffic officers, because cameras don’t discriminate, and they don’t ask for lunch but simply enforce the law.
The 2024 regulations gazetted by Works Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala guide the operation of this system. Under these rules, over-speeding by more than 30km/hr attracts a Shs600,000 fine, violations such as red light jumping or reckless overtaking draw Shs200,000 fines, and a 50% surcharge applies if tickets remain unpaid after 12 hours.
MoWT has acknowledged that in the first days of the rollout, a few billing errors occurred, with some motorists being wrongly charged, but that issue has since been rectified according to Ssempebwa, who added that public feedback is being used to improve the system.
Some motorists have taken to social media to voice concerns over hidden or faded road signs, especially in busy urban zones, while others, including boda boda riders and taxi operators, have called for more sensitization before fines are issued.
Opposition politicians have also chimed in, with Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi, writing to Minister Katumba on Monday, asking for a more corrective than punitive approach and raising concerns about signage, implementation fairness, and public awareness.
“I have personally received several tickets in a single day. While I understand the importance of discipline on the road, the current rollout feels more punishing than educational,” Ssenyonyi wrote.
But the government maintains that enforcement is being carried out in accordance with the law and Uganda’s growing vehicle population, urban congestion, and rising crash fatalities require bold steps.
With 25,000 road crashes and over 5,000 deaths recorded in 2023 alone, the office of the president has tasked Police and MoWT to fully implement the system and intensify public awareness.
“This is not about revenue. It’s about saving lives,” reads a May 28 letter from the president’s office, to Uganda Police and the Ministry of Works.
EPSAuto is also designed to integrate seamlessly with the upcoming digital number plate system, allowing for even faster identification of offenders and improved response to vehicle-related crime.
As Uganda embraces smart enforcement, the Ministry says the message is to obey the rules, drive safely, and the system will never bother you. The cameras are not just watching, but protecting every Ugandan who uses the road.
