Taxi drivers under their umbrella body,Uganda Taxi Operators Federation (UTOF) have asked government to halt the implementation of the automatic traffic fines since they are exorbitant.
The drivers on Wednesday presented a petition to the Commissioner in charge of transport in the Ministry of Works, Winston Katushabe in which they expressed discontent about the new fines.
“Allow us to inform you that imposing hefty fines to owners will not in any way reduce the accidents. Remember if a driver commits an offence, the message is sent to the owner of the vehicle and the driver is left to go scot free,” UTOF said in its petition.
“At the same time, it’s in Uganda where traffic penalties are exorbitant compared to other East African countries. In Rwanda, over speeding is fined 35,000 francs (shs 133,000); Kenya 5,000 (shs139,700); Tanzania 40,000 (shs60,000).”
The drivers said whereas the move is intended to reduce traffic accidents and return sanity on Ugandan roads, the way it has been implemented it bad.
“We know the project will be operational like in other countries. However, the difference is that in other countries the approach differs from that taken by Uganda. A quick example is in Rwanda where they sensitized drivers before imposing fines. A driver who was found over speeding was parked to make up for the time he had driven fast vis-à-vis what he was expected to move at. The passengers were also not allowed to move. This was a very straight message to all operators as well the passengers because they ensured the drivers complied with the required speed. This drastically reduced the accidents and regulations adhered to willingly,” the drivers said.
They said statutory instrument 2024 No. 56 indicates that ‘a traffic offender is given 72 hours to pay a fine’ which they said even the operators are not aware of.
“Since the amendment took effect beginning late May, 2025, all offenders in that range have already been imposed on a surcharge of 50%, something that is very unfair and we are against due to lack of engagement and sensitization.”
The drivers said the new regulations were hastily implemented without consultation with stakeholders.
“It is imperative to note that one of the offences in the new amendment is bypassing the traffic lights. It is evident that traffic lights installation works are still on going on different roads and streets. You find a traffic police officer allowing vehicles to go on a red traffic light signal, something the cameras cannot identify that it was done by the traffic police person.”
The drivers also mentioned chaos on roads used by President Museveni’s convoy where traffic police and SFC soldiers stop vehicles at any point, regardless of the traffic lights signals.
“They at times allow vehicles to go or stop them at traffic lights. In return, many drivers have been fined arising out of such situations.”
The drivers asked that automatic traffic fines be stayed pending revision of some new sections therein and that all motorists who have been issued with new EPS Auto tickets (fines) be cancelled.
“The interchanged speed limits should be revised to synchronize with the traffic flow. There should be massive engagement, sensitization and official roll out of the system. The camera to indicate the speed the offender was running at.”
“The future of Uganda’s transport system must be built with the people, not against them. We are ready to cooperate for reform- but not at the expense of survival and justice.”
