Traffic Police has said that the newly introduced Electronic Penalty System (EPS) Auto system is not meant to punish motorists, but rather to instill a culture of responsibility and compliance on the country’s roads.
Michael Kananura, the spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, said the digital enforcement initiative is part of broader efforts to reduce road crashes, save lives, and improve safety for all road users.
“The EPS Auto system is not designed to punish, but to promote a culture of responsibility and compliance on our roads,” Kananura stated. “Every life matters. Through digital enforcement, we aim to reduce crashes, save lives and enhance road safety.”
He urged motorists to cooperate with the system by strictly observing traffic rules and taking advantage of digital tools like the UPF MOBI app to check and pay traffic penalties promptly.
“Let us all drive responsibly together, we can build safer roads for our country Uganda,” Kananura added.
The EPS Auto system captures traffic violations in real time using technology such as CCTV cameras and mobile devices, automatically issuing penalty tickets to offending drivers.
Recently, the Uganda Police released a new set of traffic penalties, sparking widespread criticism from the transport sector.
The revised regulations introduce stricter punishments for various traffic offenses. These include fines ranging from Shs200,000 to Shs600,000 or imprisonment of one to two years for operating a vehicle without a valid license or insurance.
Motorists caught driving 1–30 km/h above the speed limit will face a fine of Shs200,000, while those exceeding the limit by more than 30 km/h will be fined Shs600,000.
Drink-driving now attracts a fine of Shs500,000, in addition to a mandatory court appearance and possible suspension of the driver’s license.
Careless driving carries the heaviest penalties, with fines ranging from Shs1.2 million to Shs1.8 million, or imprisonment of two to three years.
The new measures triggered a debate among transport operators and the public, with many calling for a review of the penalties.
According to police, this is part of their broader push for smart policing and road safety reform, especially amid rising concerns over reckless driving and increasing road fatalities.
