The Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) has stepped up production and issuance of digital number plates following a directive by the Minister of Works and Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama, to address delays and restore efficient service delivery.
The development comes after growing concerns from motorists, vehicle dealers, and transport operators over delays in receiving digital registration plates, which affected vehicle registration processes across the country.
Following the minister’s intervention, ITMS says production has increased significantly after the arrival of critical electronic components, improved logistics arrangements, and strengthened manufacturing processes.
The facility is now operating at full capacity as efforts intensify to clear the existing backlog and stabilise both first-time vehicle registration and post-registration migration services.
ITMS Production Manager, Mr Austine Egesa, said the company has shifted into emergency mode to implement the minister’s directive and restore reliable services to motorists.
“Following the Minister’s intervention, production of new number plates has significantly accelerated; people are working like ants. The factory is operating at full capacity, the backlog is steadily decreasing, component supplies have stabilised, and customers are already receiving their number plates,” Egesa said.
ITMS said it expects to streamline operational processes within three weeks and fully stabilise number plate services by August 30, 2026.
Steven Turyarugayo, the ITMS Public Relations Consultant, said teams are working around the clock to ensure production targets are achieved.
“Our teams are working around the clock to ensure that production remains at full capacity. We are committed to implementing the Minister’s directive by clearing the current backlog and restoring efficient, reliable service delivery to all Ugandans,” Turyarugayo said.
According to officials, the current production framework for post-registration (migrate from the old registration plates to the new registration plates) was originally designed to cater for exceptional circumstances such as lost, stolen, damaged, or defaced number plates.
“Large-scale migration by existing vehicle owners will start after government launches support mechanism for secondary vehicle registration.”
Minister Fred Byamukama’s directive followed an inspection of the digital number plate production facility in Kyambogo, where he assessed the production challenges affecting issuance of plates.
During the visit, the minister directed the contractor, Joint Stock Company Global Security (JSCGS), which manages the ITMS digital number plate programme, to address production bottlenecks and ensure the backlog is cleared within the agreed timelines.
The Ministry of Works and Transport said the delays had affected motorists and industry players, prompting government intervention to restore normal operations and improve turnaround times for registration services.
The minister’s directive came after complaints from motorists, car dealers and transport stakeholders who reported prolonged waiting periods for digital number plates.
Statistics from the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) department indicate that more than 47,000 motorists have applied to migrate from old registration plates to the new digital plates.
Of these, approximately 1,384 applicants have completed payment and are awaiting production and issuance.
ITMS said the backlog has reduced by 39.5 percent since the minister’s intervention.
The company attributed previous delays to disruptions in the global supply chain, particularly geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that affected international shipping routes and delayed delivery of key production components.
To address future supply challenges, ITMS has diversified its logistics routes by rerouting shipments through Oman and Qatar to ensure a steady flow of components into Uganda.
ITMS said first-time vehicle registration services have remained stable despite previous supply challenges.
The production facility currently has capacity to manufacture approximately 2,500 number plates per day, translating into nearly 50,000 plates every month.
The company said this capacity is sufficient to meet demand for newly registered vehicles.
However, large-scale migration from old registration plates to new digital plates will begin after government introduces a support mechanism for secondary vehicle registration.
The ITMS project forms part of Uganda’s broader effort to modernise transport management, improve vehicle identification, strengthen road safety, and enhance digital monitoring of transport systems.
