Motor Vehicle Dealers Allege Bribery in Digital Number Plate Issuance

What the report says

Motor vehicle dealers in Uganda are alleging corruption in the country’s digital number plate rollout, saying some motorists are being asked to pay extra money to move their applications ahead of others. The claims were reported by the Associated Motor Vehicle Dealers, which says the issue affects the system used to process and issue number plates through official channels.

According to the association, applicants who pay the standard fee of about Shs714,300 can still wait for weeks or months before receiving a plate. The group’s publicity secretary, Marvin Ayebare, said the alleged extra payments can range from Shs500,000 to as much as Shs3 million, depending on how quickly a person wants the plate released. He said the practice was especially noticeable between May and July.

The dealers say the situation has created a process where those able to pay more receive priority, while others who follow the normal procedure remain on waiting lists. They are calling for an investigation into the alleged payments and want government to examine records from service providers to determine how some applicants are getting plates immediately.

The article also says members of Parliament have urged that anyone involved in soliciting bribes be identified and investigated, and have encouraged dealers and other witnesses to share information with investigative agencies. The dealers want Parliament and the relevant agencies to review fitting centres and allocation procedures to improve transparency and restore confidence in the system.