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The investigation into the proposal for digital number plates in Uganda has been transferred to a Classified Committee of the House. This decision follows a closed session meeting to scrutinize classified expenditure budgets and address concerns regarding the project.

The mandate to investigate the proposal for digital number plates, previously held by the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, has been transferred to a Classified Committee of the House. This announcement was made by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa during the plenary session on Wednesday, 11^th  October 2023, in accordance with section 24(2) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 (PFMA).

As per PFMA section 24(2), a closed session will be held by a Parliament committee comprising the chairs of the Budget and Defence and Internal Affairs committees, along with a member appointed by the Speaker, to scrutinize classified expenditure budgets.

Tayebwa explained that the decision stemmed from a classified procurement matter discussed in a meeting with the Attorney General and Minister for Security. The Classified Committee will address this issue, and the findings will be presented to the Speaker of Parliament and the Executive.

Relevant ministries, especially the Minister for Security, have been directed to appear before the Classified Committee to provide necessary information regarding the digital number plate’s project.

Amidst conflicting statements by the Ministers for Internal Affairs, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, and Security, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi, the need for clarification on the project has become crucial.

Additionally, invoking rule seven of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, Tayebwa included Hon. Dan Kimosho Atwijukire, Chairperson of the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, in the Classified Committee. This decision was based on the commendable work and evidence collected by the committee.

The Intelligent Transport Monitoring System’s digital number plate project will be implemented gradually, managed by Joint Stock Company Global Security for 10 years before being handed over to the government. New vehicle and motorcycle owners will pay Shs714,000 for digital number plates, while existing registered road users will be charged Shs150,000 and Shs50,000 for vehicles and motorcycles, respectively.

These costs led Tororo District Woman Representative, Hon. Sarah Opendi, to petition Parliament for further review.