The issuance of digital registration plates for private and public motor vehicles will begin on Monday (January 6).

This will mark the third phase of Uganda’s Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) project.

The ITMS project, launched in November 2023, initially rolled out digital plates for government vehicles. In November 2024, the system was expanded to include motorcycles and tricycles.
This phase comes three-and-a-half years after the government, through the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Works and Transport, signed an agreement with M/S Joint Stock Company Global Security (JSCGS) to implement the ITMS. The project aims to combat motor vehicle-related crime and reduce road accidents.

The first phase, launched on Nov. 1, 2023, issued digital plates for government vehicles, while the second phase, starting Nov. 1, 2024, covered motorcycles and tricycles, targeting both new registrations and replacements for existing plates.
The rollout faced public criticism over privacy concerns and high costs.

The government has set fees at UGX 713,000 for newly registered vehicles, UGX 150,000 for replacing old plates, and UGX 50,000 for motorcycle registration.

The Ministry of Works and Transport says the transition to the new service provider, JSCGS, is ready. Current providers GM Tumpeco Ltd and Arnold Brooklyn and Company Ltd (ABC Ltd) will process all plate orders received until Jan. 5, 2025.

A 30-day grace period will follow, allowing vehicle owners and dealers to collect their plates from GM Tumpeco and ABC Ltd for orders placed before Jan. 6, 2025.

“Once the 30-day grace period elapses, motor vehicle dealers and owners will have to reapply for duplicate plates under the new registration regime as per the Traffic and Road Safety (Registration Plates) Regulations 2022 (As Amended),” said Permanent Secretary Bageya Waiswa in a statement.

The government says the new system will help trace vehicles involved in traffic offences or criminal activity.