Government has announced fresh nationwide consultations with stakeholders in the transport sector ahead of the planned relaunch of Uganda’s Express Penalty System (EPS) and the Fine Issuance System (FIS).
The automated traffic enforcement programme was suspended last year after motorists, public transport operators and other road users raised concerns about its implementation.
Works and Transport minister Gen Katumba Wamala last week met leaders representing taxi operators, bus companies, truck drivers and boda boda riders to review a draft report assessing the initial rollout of the system.
The minister said consultations will begin in mid-March and will involve transport associations, local leaders, motorists and other stakeholders across the country.
According to the ministry of Works and Transport, the review identified several operational gaps that contributed to public dissatisfaction when the system was first introduced.
Among the concerns raised were inadequate road signage, limited public sensitisation before implementation, and complaints about the 72-hour deadline for payment of fines and the 50 per cent surcharge imposed after that period.
Stakeholders also called for clarification on the 30 kilometres-per-hour speed limit in designated safety zones, inconsistencies between some speed camera readings and recommended road speed limits, and the issuance of multiple receipts during the early phase of the rollout.
Officials said some of these issues had already been corrected before the system was suspended, while others have since been addressed during the review process.
The ministry also acknowledged complaints about the absence of an automated mechanism for lodging complaints. It said a new system is being developed to allow motorists to challenge penalties electronically without requiring physical interaction with enforcement officials.
“We need to limit human interaction with the system and move towards full automation,” the ministry said in a statement summarising the review findings.
Government officials noted that more than 90 per cent of the issues raised by the public were legitimate concerns, many of which have already been rectified in the revised framework for the system.
Issues emerging from the upcoming consultations that require policy adjustments will be forwarded to Cabinet and Parliament for consideration before the system is reinstated.
The ministry emphasised that the EPS and FIS will not be relaunched until there is a broad consensus with the public and key players in the transport industry.
Authorities say the automated traffic enforcement system is intended to improve road safety by detecting speeding and other traffic violations through surveillance cameras and issuing electronic fines.
Officials also defended the broader objective of the system, urging the public to support efforts aimed at reducing road crashes.
“We can compromise on convenience, but we cannot compromise on safety and security,” the ministry said.
Uganda records thousands of road crash fatalities each year, with speeding and reckless driving among the leading causes, according to traffic police data.
I wonder how the general public is expected to submit their views. There should be a web link or another accessible platform for people to provide feedback.
My main concern is that the 30 km/h speed limit was arbitrarily set in some areas where it is not appropriate—for example, on Kitante Road—and it was implemented without any margin of error. As a result, many drivers slowed down to around 20 km/h to avoid accidentally exceeding the limit, which caused unnecessary traffic congestion and stress.
Speed limits should be realistic and designed to improve safety, not set in a way that appears to trap drivers into paying fines
The other challenge is the installation of traffic lights with cameras in city within a distance of 100miters,,, installation of speed cameras without traffic lights is more recommendedable,,, to easy traffic flow ie why install permanent traffic lights on inner T junctions.??
Have the ministry considered the delay caused by the reckless drivers or non concerned drivers in teh wrong lane at the turning?? How about boda boda guys blocking traffic inflow at traffic lights on release and cars ended up caught be in amber, green lights, on Fines why not give a grace period of 30days pay the fine and subsequent penalties ??
Etc etc etc etc, let’s not use security as a ploy but save lives, reduce accidents, promote road safety, reduce on pollution, improve our roads, sensitize rather than harsh enforcement, engage stakeholders all the time, introduce a professional enforcement unit to collect and monitor the operations rather than the existing traffic police etce