Uganda government suspends Express Penalty System

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Government has suspended the Express Penalty System following countrywide outcry by motorists.

The development was announced on Wednesday night via social media X.

"Effective midnight tonight, the implementation of the automated Express Penalty System [EPS Auto] will be temporarily suspended following a comprehensive review.

The minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, will issue a detailed statement tomorrow outlining the way forward.

In the meantime, we urge all road users to continue driving responsibly and observing traffic rules," reads a statement released on social site X.

The recently rolled-out Fine Issuance System (FIS), an automated version of the Express Penalty Scheme (EPS), lately triggered a wave of public outcry, with many Ugandans questioning both the fairness and the implementation of the new traffic enforcement regime.

Recently, it was revealed that majority of victims penalised by the Uganda Police Force are motorists in areas such as Katabi, along Entebbe road. So far, several motorists have been fined for various infractions, including failure to carry a logbook, while others were penalised for speeding.

Many drivers report receiving multiple fines, with some accumulating up to sh600,000 in penalty per vehicle in a single day.

Although the Ministry of Works and Transport has defended the system as a move toward improved road safety, several motorists are calling for a review of the framework to address what they describe as unfair penalties.

Frustrations have spilled over onto social media, where many users are venting their anger and confusion over the system. Some have even threatened to park their cars indefinitely in protest.

Critics argue that the system’s enforcement, especially of speed limits as low as 30 km/h in certain areas like on Lugogo Bypass and Yusufu Lule road in Kampala, is both impractical and confusing due to inconsistent signage.

The FIS rollout follows a May 2025 directive from the Office of the President instructing the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, to immediately implement the digital penalty issuance system.

In a letter dated May 28, 2025, Haji Yunus Kakande, the secretary in the Office of the President, said the system aims to improve road safety and security by penalising motorists who flout traffic regulations.

According to Kakande, the system will focus primarily on speeding and red-light violations. He noted that the Joint Stock Company–Global Security (JSCGS), a Russian firm, had been contracted to implement the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), a broader project involving digital number plates with tracking capabilities.

“The purpose of this letter is to request you to commence implementation of the FIS as you continue sensitising the public, in partnership with JSCGS, of the benefits of the system,” Kakande wrote.