Uganda halts launch of automated Express Penalty Scheme

Nearly a year after the Government of Uganda halted the rollout of the automated Express Penalty Scheme (EPS Auto) and revised speed limit regulations, the initiative remains stalled as authorities move back to the drawing board following strong resistance from motorists.

According to the Ministry of Works and Transport spokesperson, Susan Kataike, a review of complaints raised by drivers revealed that the majority of them were legitimate. She said more than 90 percent of the concerns submitted by the public were valid and have since been addressed.

Kataike announced that the ministry will begin nationwide consultations with stakeholders starting in mid-March 2026. The discussions will gather further public input before the revised regulations are returned to Cabinet and Parliament for consideration.

“The Ministry of Works and Transport will conduct countrywide consultations beginning mid-March 2026. Over 90 percent of the concerns raised by the public were genuine, and they have been rectified. Matters that require Cabinet and parliamentary approval will be taken back for discussion so that the final decision reflects public recommendations. We do not intend to re-launch the EPS and the Fines Issuance System until we reach consensus with the public,” she said.

The consultation process, followed by submission to Cabinet and eventual debate in Parliament, could take months or even years before the regulations are reinstated.

The government initially began enforcing the controversial traffic regulations in May 2025 through two statutory instruments. The first was Statutory Instrument No. 56 of 2024 — the Traffic and Road Safety (Express Penalty Scheme for Road Offenders) Regulations, 2024 — which introduced automated traffic fines. The second was the Road Safety (Prescription of Speed Limits) Regulations.

Under these laws, speed limits were significantly reduced, particularly in areas considered high-risk for road accidents. In urban centres, the speed limit dropped from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour.

Penalties for violations were also tightened. Motorists caught speeding faced fines of up to Shs600,000, while the period for paying penalties was reduced from 28 days to just 72 hours. Failure to pay within three days attracted a 50 percent surcharge. In addition, drivers of vehicles in transit were required to clear any outstanding fines before leaving the country.

The new measures sparked widespread criticism from motorists, some of whom threatened to go on strike. In response, the government suspended implementation on June 12, 2025, initially for one month to allow consultations with stakeholders.

The suspension was later extended after President Yoweri Museveni questioned the approach, arguing that police CCTV cameras had primarily been installed for security purposes rather than revenue collection through fines.

Last Thursday, Works and Transport Minister Gen Katumba Wamala and his technical team met with transport sector stakeholders to present findings from the review of the regulations.

Kataike said several gaps were identified during the assessment. These included inadequate road signage, limited public sensitisation before the enforcement began, and concerns about the 72-hour payment deadline and the additional 50 percent surcharge on late payments.

Other issues raised included the need for clearer guidelines on the 30 km/h speed limit in designated safe zones, inconsistencies between speed limits programmed into some traffic cameras and the officially recommended limits, and cases of multiple fine receipts being issued during the early stages of the rollout — a problem she said was later corrected before the scheme was suspended.