Civil society groups have renewed calls for the government to restore the Automated Express Penalty Scheme (EPS), saying its reinstatement would curb reckless driving as children return to school for the new academic year.
Addressing journalists on Monday, Charlotte Kangume, co-founder of the Amputee Self Help Network Uganda (ASNU), highlighted the serious threat that undisciplined road behaviour poses to learners and other vulnerable road users.
“Many people do not fully appreciate the physical, psychological and financial burden that follows a road accident. When someone is involved in a crash, their whole family suffers,” Kangume, a survivor of a 2018 road accident, said.
Her accident, she recounted, drastically altered her life: “I was standing by the roadside when a speeding driver struck me. My ability to earn a livelihood was severely disrupted, and many employers were unwilling to hire someone with a disability.”
According to ASNU, the automated EPS system could be crucial in improving compliance with traffic laws. The body argued that, when in operation, automated enforcement encouraged drivers to adhere to speed limits and other regulations not because of visible police presence, but because the system held them accountable.
“We lose many people, including children, due to reckless driving. The automated EPS is not punishment — it protects our children and all road users. It enforces discipline on our roads,” Kangume said.
Civil society also stressed that the long-term costs of road crashes — including medical treatment, rehabilitation and support for permanently disabled survivors — far outweigh the costs of implementing automated enforcement.
Statistics from 2025 indicate Uganda continues to record about 14 road fatalities every day, placing the country among the world’s most dangerous for road users, according to road safety data. Experts note most crashes are preventable through responsible driving and effective enforcement.
As part of its appeal, ASNU called on the government to subsidise prosthetic services, strengthen technology-enabled enforcement, and support public sensitisation. Partners at the briefing also urged parents to educate children on road safety, demand safer transport services and remind drivers — including taxi operators — to respect speed limits and traffic regulations.
“Smart enforcement creates safer school zones, reduces reckless driving, and ensures children can travel safely to and from school,” Kangume said, underscoring the need to protect young lives and Uganda’s future.
In 2025, government rolled out an automated version of the EPS system (EPS Auto) as part of the broader Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS).
This system uses CCTV surveillance, digital number-plate recognition and real-time data analytics to detect violations such as speeding and running red lights, and automatically issue electronic fines linked to the vehicle’s registered owner. Offenders receive notifications with details of the offence and payment instructions via SMS or email.
However, the automated system faced significant public backlash, with motorists and transport operators criticising the rollout, technical flaws, unclear signage in enforcement zones, and perceived harsh penalties.
In response, the government temporarily suspended the EPS Auto system in June 2025 to allow for review, stakeholder engagement and system improvements. Officials acknowledged issues such as duplicated or mis-issued fines and the need for clear public education before resuming automated enforcement.
