The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has written to the Ministry of Works and Transport to urgently review the country’s automated Electronic Penalty System (EPS), citing growing public discontent and a wave of complaints from road users across Uganda.
In a June, 10 2025, petition to the Minister of Works and Transport, Ssenyonyi expressed deep concern over what he described as the punitive and exploitative nature of the EPS, a system initially intended to promote road safety but now increasingly seen by the public as unfair and opaque.
Ssenyonyi highlighted multiple areas of concern in his letter like lack of public awareness about the EPS where he remarked that many motorists do not understand how the system operates, how to verify penalties, or how to appeal fines, leading to widespread confusion and frustration.
He added that speed limits in certain areas, such as the Kampala Northern Bypass, are poorly marked and appear inconsistent or unjustified, causing many unintentional violations by drivers.
Ssenyonyi also notes that the requirement to drive at low speeds in high-risk areas has created serious security concerns, with motorists becoming easy targets for ambushes and attacks by criminals.
The restrictions imposed on drivers with pending EPS fines, such as being unable to renew driving licenses or travel abroad, are overly punitive especially when appeals or verifications have not yet been resolved.
Further more, he highlights technical and procedural flaws in the EPS, with motorists receiving fines without clear evidence or explanation of the violations, eroding public trust in the system.
The conflict between automated traffic lights and manual police directives during peak hours is leading to unfair penalties, as motorists following police instructions are still penalized for disobeying traffic lights.
“The system’s current form is being experienced not as a corrective tool, but as a punishing and unaccountable mechanism. It is undermining public trust and exposing Ugandans to unjust penalties and even physical harm,” he wrote.
Ssenyonyi emphasized that while he would have preferred to raise the matter in Parliament, the House is currently in recess, prompting him to write directly to the ministry.
He urged the government to initiate broad consultations with key stakeholders and implement corrective measures that make the system more transparent, fair, and focused on public safety.
The letter has also been copied to the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the Director of the Uganda Police Traffic Directorate signaling the seriousness of the issue and the opposition’s intent to push for accountability and reform.
