Following public scrutiny and outcry, Security Minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi has revealed that implementation of the Express Penalty System under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) has been suspended for a month pending a review to enable a smooth roll out of the ITMS across the country.
“This isn’t a security issue, it’s the ministry of transport, it’s the law which put the money at 30 currency points which when translated into money becomes high and the Minister of works and transport (Gen Katumba Wamala) is going to review it, to reduce it but the ITMS is intended to bring security to the people” he said.
Mr Muhwezi made the remarks while addressing journalists on Friday, noting that there has been a mix up on the amount of money in penalties motorists are to pay when fined with the security essence of the ITMS during roll out which is set to be resolved by the Ministry of works.
Mr Muhwezi further noted that the ITMS will help security know the movement of vehicles especially when there is commission of a crime as the President said yesterday.
“People are now getting diverted because of the penalties, these laws were in place but weren’t being enforced and now when the camera has started working, enforcing it and penalties are implemented, it has come out that the 30 and 10 currency points which is in the law is on the high side” he said.
Mr Muhwezi said he has held talks with the transport ministry which has suspended the implementation of the law until 15th July as they sort out the different discrepancies.
On Thursday, during the reading of the national budget, President Yoweri Museveni noted that the ITMS is meant to enhance the country’s security setup not to issue fines through the express penalties to citizens.
“I think the confusion about fines could be because we didn’t have money, and we told these people to do the number plates and recover money through those who make mistakes. I think that’s when the confusion started but the issue is about the digitized number plates, every vehicle must have a digital number plate, traceable by the central command”
Mr Museveni added, “To know which motorcycles, cars were in this area at this time because these number plates which can be picked off and on at any time are useless, this is the whole thing about digital number plates, it’s not about money or fines, it’s about security. Such a young man who was killed, they are acting with impunity this is what I can’t accept”
Background
As part of the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System is designed to enhance security under the Uganda police and streamline transport management and enhance road safety in Uganda under ministry of works and transport.
With a strong focus on security, the system includes digital number plates that are installed by authority under ITMS and equipped with advanced security features like the tracker, blue tooth beacons.
Any attempt to tamper with them triggers an alert to our command centre, ensuring stolen plates can’t be reused. This initiative will help reduce accidents, improve security, and make roads safer.
Through working together with relevant authorities, the ITMS will harness the power of technology to benefit all Ugandans.
