government 14 October 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Otafiire Questions Sh100 Billion Digital Number Plate System, Cites Lack of Police Involvement
Former Internal Affairs Minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has expressed significant doubts about the US$25 million Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), stating the police were not involved in its procurement and that its value to existing surveillance infrastructure is minimal. He questioned the technology's compatibility and effectiveness, likening it to a basic fleet management service rather than a comprehensive transport monitoring solution. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4658/police-not-involved-procurement-digital-number-plates-otafiire
Minister for Water and Environment, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, has raised serious concerns regarding the US$25 million Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) intended for digital number plates. Appearing before Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure Committee, Otafiire, who previously served as the Minister of Internal Affairs, revealed that the police force was not involved in the procurement process for the system.
Otafiire articulated his reservations, citing technical incompatibilities between the Russian technology introduced and the existing Chinese camera systems. He also voiced doubts about the reliability and origins of the equipment, suggesting it was assembled from various components. His experience indicated the system functioned more as a fleet management tool than the advanced monitoring solution promised.
To illustrate his point, Otafiire described an experiment where a vehicle’s number plate was removed and brought to his office while the car remained elsewhere. The system, he noted, still registered the vehicle at its original location, demonstrating that it tracked the device, not the vehicle itself.
He further questioned the decision to import number plates, contrasting it with local manufacturers like Wavamuno, who could potentially produce them domestically, create jobs, and keep resources within Uganda.
However, former Works Minister Gen. (Rtd.) Katumba Wamala offered a contrasting view, sharing a personal account of how police surveillance capabilities, possibly linked to such systems, helped track down assailants in an attack against him. Despite this, he acknowledged his assessment might be limited.
Otafiire clarified that the ITMS should not be conflated with the police’s existing camera network, which he stated, despite its issues, functions. He also pointed out that IT experts struggled to understand the purpose of the equipment installed for the ITMS.
Concerns about the pricing model, particularly differential charges for new and existing vehicles, were also raised by MPs. The committee cautioned against adopting foreign technology without thorough vetting of its suitability and cost-effectiveness, describing the initial contract as a “total fiasco.”
Source: Parliament of Uganda