The Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, has given the company responsible for supplying Uganda’s digital number plates three weeks to resolve the persistent shortages that have disrupted motorists and vehicle dealers for nearly two years.
Speaking during a meeting with car and motorcycle importers in Kampala on Thursday, Byamukama directed Joint Stock Company Global Security Ltd, the contractor managing the digital number plate system, to immediately address the supply challenges and ensure motorists receive their plates without unnecessary delays.
The minister blamed the prolonged shortage on the contractor, saying the government had already demanded urgent action.
“The scarcity of number plates should be blamed on the contractor. I met with them yesterday, and they assured me the problem will be resolved as quickly as possible. I have given them three weeks to fix it,” Byamukama said.
He said the current delays are unacceptable and insisted that anyone applying for a digital number plate should receive it within eight hours of completing the application process.
“There is no reason why anyone should wait more than a day to get a number plate,” he added.
Byamukama acknowledged that the delays have affected businesses, particularly vehicle importers, many of whom have been unable to release or register vehicles on time, resulting in financial losses.
Representing the importers, Uganda Clearing Industry and Forwarding Association (UCIFA) Vice-Chairperson Bwire Kezekia said dealers have struggled with persistent shortages since the rollout of the digital number plate system in 2024.
He said although the industry initially welcomed the initiative, implementation challenges have frustrated vehicle importers and motorists alike.
“We supported the introduction of digital number plates, but instead we have experienced continuous delays. There have never been enough number plates, and the digital tracking system that was promised has not been fully realised,” Kezekia said.
He also questioned the effectiveness of the system, arguing that despite assurances that digital tracking technology would improve vehicle security, police have continued to face difficulties tracing stolen vehicles.
The digital number plate project was introduced to enhance road security, improve vehicle identification and strengthen efforts to combat vehicle-related crime, but ongoing supply shortages have drawn increasing criticism from motorists and industry stakeholders.
