Minister gives contractor until August to end digital number plate shortage

KAMPALA — The Minister of Works and Transport, Mr Fred Byamukama, has directed the contractor producing Uganda’s digital number plates to resolve production bottlenecks by the end of August following persistent shortages that have disrupted vehicle registration services.

The directive was issued on Monday, July 6, during the minister’s inspection of the digital number plate production facility at Kyambogo amid growing complaints from motorists and motor vehicle dealers over delays in obtaining registration plates.

The Ministry of Works and Transport said the shortages have affected service delivery, leaving many first-time vehicle owners unable to complete the registration process and causing frustration among businesses that rely on timely vehicle registration.

During the inspection, Mr Byamukama tasked the contractor, Joint Stock Company Global Security (JSCGS), with addressing all outstanding production capacity challenges to restore a steady and reliable supply of digital number plates.

The ministry said the contractor is expected to clear the production bottlenecks by the end of August to ensure uninterrupted issuance of number plates, particularly for first-time vehicle registration applicants.

The inspection follows a meeting held last week between officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport, stakeholders in the transport sector and representatives of JSCGS to discuss the production challenges and agree on corrective measures.

Uganda introduced digital number plates as part of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), a government initiative aimed at enhancing road safety, improving vehicle traceability and strengthening crime prevention through electronically trackable vehicle identifiers.

However, the rollout has been dogged by production delays and shortages, prompting complaints from motorists, car dealers and transport operators who say the scarcity of number plates has slowed vehicle registration and affected business operations.

The ministry has not disclosed the exact cause of the production challenges but says efforts are underway to restore normal production and ensure a consistent supply of the digital plates.