The Ministry of Works and Transport has announced the temporary suspension of the Automated Express Penalty System (EPS Auto), the traffic enforcement technology introduced to streamline the issuance of fines for road traffic violations.

In a brief statement issued Wednesday evening, the Ministry said the suspension will take effect at midnight tonight, following what it described as “a comprehensive review” of the system’s implementation so far.

“Effective midnight tonight, the implementation of the Automated Express Penalty System [EPS Auto] will be temporarily suspended following a comprehensive review,” the statement reads.

The ministry said a detailed communication on the way forward will be made by Works and Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala on Thursday, sparking public speculation on whether the suspension signals deeper concerns about the system’s effectiveness, legal grounding, or public reception.

While EPS Auto was rolled out as part of the government’s digitalization push to improve traffic law enforcement, it has faced criticism from motorists and civil society groups over issues ranging from erroneous penalties and limited public awareness, to concerns over due process.

Since its rollout, thousands of motorists have received automated penalty tickets, triggered through traffic cameras and roadside monitoring systems that capture license plates of offending vehicles.

Although government had argued the system would enhance road safety and reduce human error or bribery associated with manual enforcement, many drivers have complained of being penalized without sufficient explanation or evidence.

The Ministry, however, emphasized that the suspension does not mean a pause on enforcement altogether.

“We urge all road users to continue driving responsibly and observing traffic rules,” the statement added.

Minister Wamala is expected to clarify whether the review will lead to a full-scale overhaul, technical fixes, or a phased return of EPS Auto once identified gaps are addressed.

The Uganda Police Force, which works closely with the Ministry to enforce traffic regulations, has not yet commented on how the temporary suspension will affect current enforcement operations or pending fines.

The EPS Auto system is part of a wider national strategy to curb road accidents, reduce corruption, and promote efficient public sector service delivery.

As of press time, no timeline has been announced for the possible resumption of the automated system.

Stories Continues after ad

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has petitioned the Minister of Works and Transport to urgently review and recalibrate the recently intensified Electronic Penalty System (EPS), citing widespread public dissatisfaction and procedural shortcomings.

In a letter dated June 10, 2025, addressed to the Minister of Works and Transport, Ssenyonyi outlined several grievances raised by Ugandan motorists over what he described as the “punitive and exploitative” nature of the current system.

“While the intention behind the EPS may have been rooted in promoting road safety and order, its current execution has raised widespread alarm,” he wrote. “Motorists have complained about excessive issuance of traffic fines without clear and accessible justification.”

Among the specific issues raised in his letter are the lack of awareness and training among motorists, confusing and inconsistent speed limits and security risks arising from low-speed enforcement, particularly in high-risk areas such as the Kampala Northern Bypass.

“Certain areas are enforcing low-speed limits without clear signage or logical justification, creating confusion and inadvertent violations,” Ssenyonyi noted. 

He added, “The slow speeds required by the EPS in high-risk areas like the bypass expose motorists to ambushes, including attacks by criminals wielding stones.”

The opposition leader also highlighted excessive penalties that restrict movement with some drivers unable to renew licenses or travel due to pending fines and technical shortcomings leading to erroneous tickets. Additionally, he warned of conflicts between traffic light instructions and police commands, which expose drivers to penalties even when following lawful orders.

“Road safety is a shared goal,” he said, “but it ought to be pursued in a manner that is fair, just, and respectful of the rights and safety of Ugandans.”

Ministry Defends EPS Rollout as Life-Saving Initiative

The Ministry of Works and Transport, in collaboration with the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System Uganda (ITMS note that the initiative is designed to combat Uganda’s high rate of road fatalities, with speeding identified as a major cause.

According to the 2024 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report, 44.5% of all road crashes were attributed to speeding. In 2024 alone, Uganda recorded 25,107 road crashes, resulting in 5,144 deaths.

Winston Katushabe, Commissioner of Transport Regulation and Safety, clarified the standardized speed limits being enforced under the EPS framework: 30 kph (18 mph): Residential areas, schools, hospitals, and markets, 50 kph (31 mph): Urban centers and town highways, 80 kph (50 mph): Expressways with controlled traffic and 100 kph (62 mph): Maximum on designated expressways.

“The 30 kph limit is not universal,” Katushabe said, “but applies to zones with high human traffic, to protect vulnerable road users like children and pedestrians.”

The EPS utilizes Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to detect speeding and issue penalties in real-time. Offenders exceeding the speed limit by 1 to 30 kph are fined Shs200,000, while those exceeding by 31 kph or more are fined Shs600,000.

ITMS officials also noted via social media that the system is now active on major roads and intersections, with cameras calibrated to interpret signage accurately.

“Drivers must be alert and aware of road signage at all times,” an ITMS statement read. “The cameras are smart if you’re over the limit near a hospital, school, or residential area, the system will catch it.”

The Ministry urged motorists to comply with posted limits and traffic rules.

“Speeding is among the five major risk factors contributing to road crashes,” read a public advisory. “Respect the rules of the road. Avoid penalties. Save lives.”

While Ssenyonyi acknowledged the importance of road safety, he stressed the need for transparency, fairness, and greater public sensitization. He called for consultations with stakeholders and procedural reforms to ensure the system supports, rather than penalizes, responsible road use.

“I request your office to review the implementation of the EPS, conduct broad consultations, and institute corrective measures where necessary,” he wrote. “Please consider this letter a formal appeal for urgent review.”

The Minister of Works and Transport is yet to issue an official response to the letter.

Stories Continues after ad

Ugandans living abroad have renewed calls for Bank of Uganda to develop a secure, low-cost digital platform for remitting money back home, arguing that existing systems are costly and diminish the value of their hard-earned income.

The appeal comes amid growing frustration over high transaction charges imposed by foreign digital remittance platforms — fees that often exceed 10 percent of the amount sent. With Uganda receiving more than $1.4 billion in remittances in 2023 — the country’s largest source of foreign exchange — the diaspora believes urgent reforms are needed.

Speaking at a media briefing in Kampala ahead of the International Day for Family Remittances (IDFR), Mr. Chris Ssentongo Kironde, a Ugandan-American who has lived in the United States for 28 years, described the current remittance landscape as unsustainable and unfair.

“Bank of Uganda should create a locally owned remittance app,” Mr. Kironde said. “It would be cheaper, inspire trust, and eliminate unnecessary fees. Right now, if the dollar rate is 3,700, the recipient gets around 3,600 — that’s a loss of up to $100 or $200 per transaction. Before long, people will return to the old system of sending money in envelopes.”

According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, over two million Ugandans live in the diaspora, spread across the United States, Europe, Asia, South Sudan, and neighboring East African countries. With global remittance flows increasing by 4.6% — from $865 billion in 2023 to $905 billion in 2024, according to the World Bank — the economic importance of diaspora contributions cannot be overstated.

Remittances to Uganda account for approximately 3 percent of GDP, supporting essential needs such as food, education, healthcare, and housing. However, diaspora leaders say that high transaction fees are discouraging people from sending money home — or pushing them toward informal, less secure channels.

“Remittances improve lives. But the high transaction costs are undermining their impact,” said Ms. Sarah Carl, Head of Programmes and Policy Development at the International Organization for Migration (IOM). “Globally, the average remittance cost is 7 percent. In Uganda, it can go as high as 15 percent — meaning families lose a significant share of what they’re supposed to receive.”

Government officials have taken note of the growing concern.

Mr. Patrick Okello, Commissioner for Refugee Management in the Office of the Prime Minister, warned that the high costs could drive diaspora Ugandans to invest their money elsewhere, resulting in missed opportunities for national development.

“If you’re losing 15 percent of every dollar you send, you may decide to invest abroad instead. That’s a real risk for a country like Uganda, which relies on remittances to fund family welfare and economic growth,” he said.

In response, the Bank of Uganda says it is exploring ways to reduce remittance costs through increased market participation and competition.

“We are taking concrete steps to enhance the development impact of every dollar sent,” said Ms. Constance Kababi, Deputy Director of Statistics at the central bank, representing Governor Michael Atingi-Ego.

He added, “More market players will mean more competitive pricing, and that will ultimately reduce costs for users.”

Mr. Kironde believes that streamlining and localizing Uganda’s remittance infrastructure will not only reduce the burden on diaspora workers but also encourage more Ugandans to seek employment abroad, potentially boosting remittance volumes and long-term investment in the country.

“India has done it. Uganda can too. If we get our people jobs abroad and support them with secure, affordable remittance systems, development will follow.”

The International Day for Family Remittances will be commemorated on June 16 under the theme: “Rem

Stories Continues after ad