Parliament verifies Digital Number Plate tracking works and identifies areas for improvement

What the report says

Members of Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure, led by Chairperson Mwine Mpaka, visited the Police Command Centre at Naguru to check how Uganda’s Digital Number Plate System works in practice. The inspection came after earlier committee hearings raised questions about whether the project’s security and vehicle-tracking functions were delivering as intended, as well as concerns over plate issuance delays, cost, capacity and communication with motorists.

According to The Independent Uganda, police officials used the visit to demonstrate how the system helps identify, monitor and recover vehicles. Police Director of ICT AIGP Felix Baryamwisaki told the committee that 337 of 375 stolen motor vehicles had been tracked and recovered, which he said represented a 90% recovery rate. MPs also wanted to see the system operating live rather than relying only on presentations, and they examined how information is processed and stored.

The committee’s visit followed an earlier inspection of the number plate production facility, where members reviewed manufacturing operations and available stock. The report says the project is now producing up to 2,500 kits per day and employs more than 300 Ugandans directly, with additional jobs in related industries. The facility was described as highly localized, though MPs said they were still assessing costs and the contractor’s capacity.

The broader significance of the review is that Parliament appears to be confirming that the digital plate system is functioning while also pushing for improvements in administration, coordination and public communication. The committee’s findings suggest the debate has shifted from whether the technology works at all to how it can be strengthened and managed more effectively.