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The Ugandan government has introduced the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System to enhance vehicle tracking and security, featuring new digital number plates. The initiative, in collaboration with Global Security, aims to improve traffic management and crime prevention.

To enhance vehicle tracking and security, the Ugandan government has launched the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS). Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, Minister for Security, and Gen. Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport, provided a detailed briefing on the new digital number plates.

Minister Muhwezi highlighted that as of July 3, 2024, motor vehicle ownership had increased to 2,145,988. However, tracking criminals and traffic offenders has been difficult due to insufficient evidence. The ITMS is designed to address these challenges. He stated, “Tracking down criminals and bringing traffic offenders to justice has been substantially hampered by a lack of sufficient evidence regarding motor vehicles used to execute these crimes. While some of these challenges have been mitigated with system improvements, many are expected to be addressed through the implementation of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System.”

The government has partnered with Global Security to implement the ITMS. This system aims to facilitate the identification of vehicles involved in criminal activities, enhance traffic management, and increase revenue collection.

The new digital registration plates are integral to the ITMS project. Each kit includes two aluminum plates, a tracker, a SIM chip, two Bluetooth beacons, and snap locks, enabling real-time tracking on the ITMS platform at police command centers.

Despite logistical challenges, 1,091 vehicles have already been fitted with the new plates. The facility currently holds 107,014 plates, 3,662 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, and 17,679 BLE beacons, with additional components expected soon. Minister Muhwezi explained, “It has been 2 years and 10 months since the agreement was signed between the government and Joint Stock Global Security Company to deliver the project. By June 26, 2024, a total of 1,091 vehicles from various ministries had been fitted with the new registration plates, falling short of the required numbers due to persistent logistical challenges that are slowly being resolved. Currently at the facility are 107,014 registration plates along with 3,662 and 17,679 BLE beacons, with more components expected in the country in the next few weeks.”

Plans for a local production factory are progressing, with a facility established at Kawempe for producing registration plates. This facility has four hot stamping machines, four embossment machines, and will soon receive blank plates and hot stamping materials with security features. Additionally, fitment centers are being constructed at the Mutukula and Malaba border points.

The rollout will proceed in phases, beginning with new motorcycles on November 1, 2024, and expanding to all vehicles and motorcycles on January 6, 2025.

The ministers expressed optimism that the ITMS will significantly improve vehicle tracking, enhance security, and boost revenue collection.