transport 1 May 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Works Ministry Calls Stakeholders to Fix Motor Vehicle Registration Delays
Uganda's Ministry of Works and Transport is hosting a key meeting with vehicle dealers, agents, ITMS, and URA to tackle ongoing issues in motor vehicle registration. The session builds on recent dealer complaints and highlights progress in plate production and installation. Source: https://observer.ug/news/works-convenes-joint-meeting-to-streamline-motor-vehicle-registration
The Ministry of Works and Transport has summoned major players in the transport sector for a collaborative session to resolve bottlenecks in vehicle registration.
This comes after a April 13, 2026, dialogue with the Delight Car Dealers Association, where importers flagged inefficiencies like unauthorized fees and informal plate sales by rogue agents.
Minister Edward Katumba-Wamala wants vehicle dealers, clearing agents, ITMS, and URA at the table to iron out problems.
Delight’s William Eripu praised new plates but pointed to implementation flaws, including fake agents demanding cash.
Transport regulation commissioner Winstone Katushabe blamed most delays on clearing agents who submit wrong documents or drag feet for profit, urging drivers to check the MVR portal for updates.
ITMS, led by Joseph Tumwine, has boosted its Kyambogo plant to 70% local content, churning out 2,500 plate kits daily with over 300 Ugandan staff. It’s on track to be East Africa’s first full-cycle facility by year-end.
Installation now hits 1,200 daily, with 7,500 vehicles and bikes weekly. New centers in Gulu and Fort Portal join others in Malaba, Mutukula, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, Arua, and 26 Kampala spots plus mobile units.
URA notes agent errors in declarations cause holdups, but coordination has achieved 85% same-day installs this year, targeting 100% by December. Katumba stressed that cleared vehicles should get plates on application day.