Ugandans are on the brink of a significant change in traffic offence management, with the Automated Express Penalty System (EPS) set to begin operations this May.
This technological initiative is a key part of the government’s Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS) and aims to address the alarming rise in road fatalities. Over the past decade, road deaths have increased by 80.8%, culminating in 5,144 fatalities in 2024.
The EPS introduces a tiered system of fines, with manageable penalties for minor infractions and substantial fines for more serious violations that threaten safety or harm the environment.
For everyday motorists, the most immediate concern will likely be speeding offences, which are a major contributor to road accidents.
The EPS establishes a clear financial hierarchy based on how much a driver exceeds the legal speed limit. If a driver exceeds the limit by 10 to 30 kilometres per hour, they will face a fine of UGX 200,000. For those who exceed the limit by more than 30 kilometres per hour, the penalty will increase significantly to UGX 600,000.
In addition to speeding, the EPS targets a range of behaviours that compromise road safety and compliance with regulations. Allowing an unqualified individual to drive a vehicle will result in a fine of UGX 100,000.
The unsafe operation of goods vehicles, which can cause significant damage and injury, incurs a penalty of UGX 200,000. Similarly, individuals using vehicles for hire without the necessary permits will face a fine of UGX 100,000.
The EPS also emphasizes environmental responsibility by including environmental offences. Littering or engaging in other forms of pollution can lead to fines of up to UGX 6,000,000.
This highlights the connection between responsible road use and environmental stewardship. In a strong move against environmental degradation, the use of thin plastic carrier bags (below 30 microns) can result in a fine of up to UGX 100,000,000.
The most severe environmental violation, aggravated pollution, may incur a staggering penalty of up to UGX 6,000,000,000, demonstrating the government’s commitment to protecting Uganda’s natural environment.
The implementation of the EPS is supported by the ITMS, a sophisticated technological framework designed for efficient and accurate enforcement. It integrates digital number plates with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, enabling rapid identification of vehicles. CCTV cameras placed strategically will monitor traffic flow and automatically detect speeding and red-light violations.
These cameras will capture photographic or video evidence, along with the vehicle’s registration number, location, and time of the offence. This data is then submitted to a central ITMS database, where an electronic fine (E-fine) is generated and verified by an authorized police officer.
Once a violation is recorded and verified, the registered owner of the offending vehicle or motorbike will receive immediate notification via SMS or email.
This notification will include details of the specific offence, the date and time of the violation, the exact fine amount, the payment deadline, and a unique reference number.
To encourage timely compliance, the EPS provides various payment channels, including mobile money platforms like Airtel and MTN, traditional banking services, Point of Sale (POS) systems, and online portals linked to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and police systems.
This multi-faceted approach aims to make the payment process as convenient and accessible as possible for all citizens.
However, the EPS includes stringent measures to deter non-compliance. If an EPS ticket is not settled within 28 days, a 50% surcharge will be added to the original fine amount.
This significant penalty serves as a financial incentive for prompt payment and aims to prevent the accumulation of outstanding fines. Continued non-payment can lead to further consequences, such as the impoundment of the offending vehicle, denial of vehicle registration services, and potential court summons.
These escalating penalties highlight the seriousness with which the authorities are treating traffic violations under the new automated system.
The need for such a system is underscored by the dire statistics on road accidents. In 2024, 5,144 lives were lost on Ugandan roads, reflecting an 80.8% increase from the 2,845 fatalities recorded a decade earlier in 2014.
The dire statistics on road accidents underscore the need for such a system. In 2024, 5,144 lives were lost on Ugandan roads, reflecting an 80.8% increase from the 2,845 fatalities recorded a decade earlier in 2014.
Alarmingly, 60% of these fatalities involved vulnerable road users, including passengers (1,307), pedestrians (1,666), and cyclists (138), who are often at the mercy of vehicle operators. Motorcyclists also represent a significant portion of road fatalities, accounting for 33% of the total in 2023 (and a staggering 47% when including motorcycle passengers).