Car Bonds, Agents Inflate Vehicle Registration Fees with Unitemized Charges

Recent inspections have revealed that car bond operators and intermediaries are charging motorists significantly more than the gazetted fees for vehicle registration and digital number plates. In one documented case, a car bond operator was found charging Shs850,000 for a digital number plate, despite the official government rate being Shs714,300.

Further evidence from non-itemized receipts suggests a broader pattern of inflated charges. One receipt from Transedge Interfreight Holdings Co. Ltd shows a lump sum of Shs1,485,000 for “Taxes + DPC plates + clearance,” with an unaccounted difference of Shs570,700 when compared to expected statutory and official plate costs.

Motorcycle operators, often low-income earners, are also facing substantial unitemized payments. Receipts from companies like Khams Works Limited and Yuku Shipping and Logistics Ltd indicate payments of Shs2,100,000 and Shs1,980,000 respectively for motorcycle registrations, without clear breakdowns of these amounts.

Joint Venture ITMS, the firm responsible for the digital number plate rollout, has reiterated that the official cost for a new vehicle plate remains Shs714,300. They have established an anti-corruption hotline (+256 326 88530) for reporting informal payment demands.

To combat transparency issues, the Ministry of Works and Transport advises the public to monitor their registration progress independently via the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) portal (portal.mvr.go.ug) or their hotline (0200 420 000). Officials emphasize verifying application stages to avoid paying for alleged “delayed plates,” noting that customs declarations are often a source of delays.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/how-car-bonds-agents-hike-vehicle-registration-fees-behind-hidden-receipts-5609708