Russian firm, Joint Stock Company Global Security (JSC GS), has presented documentary evidence to parliament indicating that its agreement with the Ugandan government for the digital number plate project was concluded in accordance with the required legal and procedural requirements.
During a closed-door meeting with parliament’s committee on Physical Infrastructure and police representatives, the company presented an agreement dated July 23, 2021, signed by representatives of the Office of the President, ministry of Works and Transport, and JSC GS.
The agreement authorised the Russian firm to implement the Digital Number Plate Project, backed by a $115 million investment, and establish national vehicle-monitoring infrastructure.
The company’s presentation comes amid parliamentary scrutiny of the project’s cost, implementation and contractor capacity, although MPs who inspected the system have confirmed that it can track both motor vehicles and motorcycles.
In a live demonstration at the Naguru police command centre on October 2, MPs witnessed the system’s vehicle-tracking capabilities. The demonstration was followed by further engagements between the company, Parliament and the police.
Mwine Mpaka, chairperson of parliament’s committee on physical infrastructure, said the inspection had confirmed that the system could track both cars and motorcycles.
“Yes, indeed, we have established that cars and motorbikes can be tracked. The issue of digital number plates is clearly important. We just need to see how we can improve the system,” Mpaka said.
“One thing for sure is, the whole country needs the digital number plate system. As a committee, we are looking at the cost and the contractor’s capacity. Other than that, no one is against the project.”
The demonstration complemented figures presented by the Uganda Police on September 30, showing that 337 of 375 reported stolen motor vehicles had been recovered, representing about 90 per cent of the cases.
Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba has also acknowledged the system’s operational value, saying it was helping investigators resolve cases.
“The system is working, and it is giving us solutions in our investigation,” Byakagaba said.
Addressing MPs on Monday, JSC project manager Damir Makhmutov highlighted the project’s contribution to local employment, skills development and the domestic economy.
As of September 2026, the company employed 320 people, including 301 Ugandans and 19 expatriates, according to Makhmutov. Ugandans accounted for about 94 per cent of the workforce.
He said Ugandan employees were engaged in production, installation, technical support, field operations and administration, gaining practical experience in specialised manufacturing, digital integration and equipment maintenance.
“The company’s capacity-building records include 37 training programmes and more than 3,700 training attendances, including repeat participation,” Makhmutov told the committee.
He added that the project had also supported local businesses through procurement from 106 Ugandan suppliers.
“Local procurement records show purchases from 106 Ugandan suppliers. The project supports domestic businesses as well as direct employment,” he said.
According to the company’s submission, more than 470,000 digital number plates had been installed by September 30, 2026. The installations have been supported by locally established production facilities and technical infrastructure, which the company says have helped build domestic manufacturing capacity and technical expertise.
Number plate backlog cleared
JSC said it had cleared a supply-related backlog by the end of July following temporary international supply disruptions earlier in 2026.
The company said it had introduced alternative logistics routes and established safety stock to maintain production and installation schedules.
Meanwhile, figures previously presented by the ministry of Works and Transport indicated that vehicle-related tax collections increased by 20.7 per cent between the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years, amounting to an increase of Shs 204.52 billion.
Kati let them make the plates available fully for all applicants. As Ugandans we simply needs number plates on our cars. The rest let them handle but give us plates and timely.
Hon. Mpaka’s assurances leave serious questions unanswered. A demonstration may show that the system can track a vehicle under particular conditions, but how reliably does it work across the country? What technology does it use—cameras, electronic tags or a powered tracking device? Does it require a SIM card or another network connection? If a tracking device is involved, what powers it, and what happens when the plates are removed or stolen?
The procurement and pricing also deserve scrutiny. How was JSC selected? Was there open, competitive bidding? What relevant experience and financial capacity were verified before awarding the contract? How were the charges imposed on motorists calculated, and what justifies their high cost? Producing a signed agreement does not, by itself, answer these questions or establish value for money.
There are also serious privacy and national security concerns whenever a foreign contractor is involved in monitoring vehicles. Who controls the tracking data, where is it stored, who can access it, and what safeguards prevent misuse?
Ugandans deserve published findings, independently verified performance and a clear explanation of the costs. We are tired of parliamentary committees offering sweeping assurances while fundamental questions remain unanswered. Parliament must scrutinise this project rigorously and hold those responsible accountable.
The name of the company in English is Global Security Ltd. Joint Stock Company is the English translation from Russian and means Limited.