The government has temporarily suspended the Automated Express Penalty Scheme (Auto EPS) for 30 days to address concerns raised by motorists and other stakeholders.
In a statement released on Thursday, Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala said the suspension period will be used to review fines issued, evaluate regulations, and carry out public awareness campaigns regarding Auto EPS.
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“This period will allow government to verify concerns about the penalties issued through the system, revise regulations, and educate the public. We’ll also continue engaging relevant stakeholders to resolve issues with the system,” Gen. Katumba explained.
The Auto EPS, launched two weeks ago, triggered backlash after motorists received hefty penalties — some as high as 20 percent of their vehicle’s value — primarily due to speeding violations.
Transporters, particularly in the taxi, trucking, and vehicle dealership sectors, expressed fears that the current implementation would drive them out of business. Many had threatened to strike, prompting the minister to pause enforcement.
In response, planned strikes by various transport associations — initially scheduled for the following week — were called off. The groups, which include taxi operators, car dealers, and truck drivers, had criticized the fines as excessive and demanded that the government address flaws in the law.
Rashid Ssekindi, chairperson of the taxi operators’ association, said the strike threat was intended to compel the government to halt the system.
“We told the ministry that unless the fines were suspended, we would strike. They have acted, and we now urge them to involve us in refining the law,” Ssekindi said.
Car dealers, especially those selling vehicles on hire purchase, were disproportionately affected, as they remained the registered owners of vehicles involved in violations. Some even had their bank accounts frozen by the Uganda Revenue Authority over unpaid fines, which led them to also consider joining the strike. Though they have paused their plans, they intend to meet and finalize their position.
William Busuulwa, a representative of truck operators, confirmed his members had also agreed to suspend their strike and would seek constructive dialogue with the government.
“Truckers transporting goods through Uganda had planned to park their vehicles in protest over the fines and speed limits. They have now paused and are ready to meet with government officials,” Busuulwa said.
Meanwhile, President Museveni weighed in on the matter during the national budget reading at Kololo Independence Grounds. He emphasized that the digital number plate initiative is meant solely for enhancing security — not collecting fines.
“I saw complaints about the digital plates and fines. But their purpose is to fight crime, not to impose penalties. We can’t let our people suffer because of gaps in infrastructure. These smart plates are designed to alert central command when tampered with. Their purpose is anti-crime, not revenue collection,” the President said.
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