Overview:
Motorists and dealers had raised alarm last week, warning that the delays were causing mounting financial losses as vehicles remained grounded.
The government has moved to reassure motorists and car dealers over delays in the issuance of digital number plates, attributing the problem to global supply chain disruptions linked to regional instability.
On Monday, Ministry of Works and Transport spokesperson Susan Kataike confirmed that delays were affecting vehicle registration across several bonded warehouses, following complaints that newly imported vehicles were being held up.
“The ministry has received concerns from the public about shortfalls in the registration of plates in different bonds,” she said, adding that the contractor responsible had confirmed the shortage and was working to resolve it.
Motorists and dealers had raised alarm last week, warning that the delays were causing mounting financial losses as vehicles remained grounded.
While earlier remarks from ministry officials dismissed claims of a widespread shortage, Kataike acknowledged the issue at a press briefing, linking it to disruptions in supply routes caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “We all know of the war in Iran, and the contractor’s consignments usually come in through Dubai. What is happening in Iran is affecting many countries around them,” she said.
Kataike said the contractor, Joint Stock Company Global Security, had begun rerouting shipments through Addis Ababa, with new consignments expected within a week. She clarified that the shortage is not of the plates themselves but of imported components essential to the digital system, including Bluetooth beacons and trackers. “The plates are there… it’s just a few components that are missing,” she explained.
The government also acknowledged concerns over access, as installation of digital plates is currently centralized at Kyambogo. “Currently somebody has to travel from any part of the country to Kyambogo… we acknowledge that it is cumbersome,” Kataike said, adding that plans are underway to establish between 20 and 24 regional installation centres to improve accessibility.
Despite the disruption, operations have not completely stalled. Under normal conditions, about 50 vehicles are processed daily for voluntary replacements, around 200 new vehicles at bonds, and between 500 and 800 motorcycles are fitted each day. To prevent future shortages, the ministry has directed the contractor to maintain buffer stock covering three to four months.
Uganda’s Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) requires that all newly registered vehicles be fitted with digital number plates before they can operate legally. The system was introduced to enhance security, improve traffic management, and enable authorities to track vehicles linked to criminal activity.