Museveni warns MPs against inaccurate reports on digital number plates

What the report says

President Yoweri Museveni has cautioned Ugandan lawmakers probing the country’s digital number plates project not to issue inaccurate findings, according to The Observer. The warning was relayed by Yunus Kakande, the permanent secretary in the Office of the President, after a meeting at State House last Thursday where MPs raised concerns about the scheme’s cost, technical performance and the contract with Russian firm Joint Stock Company Global Security (JSCGS).

The parliamentary inquiry, led by the Physical Infrastructure Committee chaired by Mbarara City South MP Mwine Mpaka, has focused on allegations that the vehicle-tracking system has fallen short of expectations. The project has also drawn scrutiny because its estimated contract value rose, prompting questions about the financial burden on the government and motorists. Kakande said Museveni wanted legislators to consult the technical teams before drawing conclusions, while maintaining that the programme was introduced mainly for security.

According to the report, the digital number plates plan traces back to a 2018 directive from Museveni aimed at improving vehicle identification after a wave of killings, including the murder of Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga. Government later signed an agreement with JSCGS in 2021 to roll out the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System. Kakande said the system is operating, though some elements need refinement, and that the government is reviewing the financial model and revenue-sharing terms. He added that Museveni had ordered separate teams from government, parliament and the contractor to meet and work through unresolved issues.