Audit Russian digital number plate firm – MPs ask Auditor General

What the report says

Uganda’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure has ordered Auditor General Edward Akol to begin a preliminary audit of the Intelligent Transport Management System, the project tied to digital number plates for vehicle identification and tracking. The committee wants a brief submitted by Tuesday next week, after raising concerns about the system’s operations, ownership and financial arrangements. Watchdog Uganda reported that the matter came up on Thursday, 15 October 2026, when Akol appeared before lawmakers to explain why his office had not yet audited the project.

According to the report, Akol said the delay was linked in part to limited information, including the fact that his office only received the project agreement on 13 October 2026. He also pointed to staffing constraints and said earlier discussions with the Office of the President had not been formally documented. He said the latest communication from the presidency described the project as still being in a pilot phase, with no government money yet appropriated or paid out, and that the investor was financing implementation.

MPs, led by committee chair Mwine Mpaka, argued that a pilot phase should not stop scrutiny of the project’s design, installation, operations and financing. The committee said it would share the needs assessment and the signed agreement with the Auditor General. Assistant Auditor General James Bantu warned that a full audit would be difficult within the short deadline because of the system’s technical complexity. The report adds that the committee had earlier moved to have audit office officials recorded by Parliament Police CID over the missed audit.