The government of Uganda has today signed a 10-year agreement with a Russian firm -Joint Stock Company Global Security- to install tracking devices in all public and private vehicles and motorcycles in Uganda.
The intelligent transport monitoring system also includes marine vessels operating on all the country’s water bodies.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Office of the President in Kampala, Security Minister, Gen Jim Muhwezi was optimistic that the system will help tackle with the security problem for the country.
“It will provide government with a digital system that will monitor our vehicles in the country. It will enable us use artificial intelligence to back up other measures in place to be able to provide the country with security,”Muhwezi said.
On spying concerns raised by the public, Muhwezi said the system is meant for for security purposes.
“I would like to assure everybody that the system will not interest itself in private matters of all motor vehicle users. The purpose is only security. With this system, once there is a security situation, we will be able to tell which vehicle was in that place. If there is no security problem, no one will be interested. There should be no worry of intrusion in privacy of motor vehicle users until there is a situation,” he said.
Yunus Kakande, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Presidency, revealed that the deal is to last for 10 years.