Kampala, Uganda – The rollout of new digital number plates in Uganda has been plagued by criticism and controversy, with motorists and experts questioning the system’s effectiveness and the competence of the Russian contractor implementing it.
The digital number plate system, which was touted as a solution to prevent theft and improve road safety, has failed to deliver on its promises. Motorists have reported that stolen vehicles equipped with the new plates remain untraceable, raising serious concerns about the system’s ability to prevent crime.
“We were promised that these plates would prevent theft, but it’s clear that’s not the case,” said John Ssemakula, a Kampala-based boda boda rider who reported his vehicle stolen. “The police say they can’t trace it, and I’m left with nothing.”
Critics allege that the system’s failure stems from a flawed information exchange network, with delays and breakdowns in transmitting incident reports to the central command center. This has resulted in a lack of real-time tracking capabilities, making it difficult for authorities to track stolen vehicles.
“The information simply isn’t reaching where it needs to go,” said a traffic police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity. “There’s a serious disconnect between the field and the control room.”
The Russian contractor, Joint Stock Company Globel Security (JSC), has faced mounting scrutiny over its competence. Industry insiders, including top government officials, have alleged that JSC is not a manufacturer but rather a brokerage firm that imports the number plates from Poland.
“They have no capacity to manufacture these plates,” said a top official with knowledge of the contract. “They are simply middlemen, importing plates from elsewhere. This is not the kind of technological advancement we were promised.”
The awarding of the contract to JSC has also drawn criticism for sidelining local manufacturer Tumpeco, owned by prominent businessman Gordon Wavamunno. Tumpeco had previously produced number plates for Uganda and had the capacity and experience to produce better plates.
The rollout, which began in November 2023, has been plagued by delays and logistical challenges. Motorists have complained of lengthy wait times for their plates and a lack of transparency in the payment and issuance process.
The controversy has reignited concerns about the cost of the plates and potential privacy implications. Sources revealed that the digital number plates being issued have not yet been integrated with the closed-circuit television camera system, further undermining their effectiveness.
As the criticism mounts, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns and ensure that the digital number plate system meets its intended purpose.
