Uganda’s new traffic fines ignite public outcry

When Daniel Ochieng received a mobile alert last week informing him of a traffic fine for overspeeding, he was stunned. Not because he had been driving recklessly — but because he hadn’t been driving at all.

“The car was with a client who had hired it,” said Ochieng, a Kampala-based car dealer. “But since it’s still registered in my name, the Shs200,000 fine came straight to me. How is that fair?”

Ochieng is just one among many Ugandans caught in the wave of confusion and fury over the newly launched Electronic Express Penalty Scheme (EPSAuto) — a camera-based traffic monitoring system rolled out by the Ministry of Works and Transport, in partnership with Uganda Police and the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS).

The system, which went live in early June, automatically detects speeding and traffic light violations, then sends fine notifications to the registered owner of the vehicle via SMS or email. But instead of being hailed as a modern solution to Uganda’s deadly road habits, EPSAuto has stirred widespread backlash — especially among taxi drivers, car dealers, and loan-financing institutions.

The heart of the controversy lies in vehicle ownership and accountability. Many cars in Uganda are purchased on loan, often remaining registered in the lender’s name until full payment is made. Under EPSAuto, these registered owners — not necessarily the drivers — are held responsible for traffic violations.

This technicality has infuriated stakeholders like the Uganda National Transport Alliance (UNTA) and the Uganda Transport Operators Federation (UTOF). Both groups have warned of looming demonstrations if the government doesn’t revisit the policy.

“People are being penalized for offenses they didn’t commit,” said Sulaiman Katende, a leader in UTOF. “The system may be electronic, but it is not intelligent enough to understand the nuances of our transport sector.”

Speed Traps and Silent Signs

The uproar isn’t just about who pays the fine — it’s also about how drivers are being fined.

Under the new guidelines, built-up and urban areas have a speed limit of 30 km/h, reduced from the previous 50 km/h. Taxi drivers argue that these changes were rolled out with little to no public sensitization and that signage is either absent or confusing.

“How can I follow a speed limit that isn’t even marked?” asked Ronald Byaruhanga, a commuter taxi driver in Kireka. “Even when we follow police hand signals, we still get fined. It’s like a trap.”

Pay Now or Pay More

Once issued, fines under EPSAuto must be paid within 72 hours. Failure to do so results in a 50% surcharge. Violations are categorized by severity: exceeding the limit by 1–30 km/h attracts a fine of Shs200,000, while exceeding by over 30 km/h leads to a Shs600,000 penalty.

These figures are steep for the average motorist and particularly burdensome for public transport drivers, many of whom operate on razor-thin daily margins.

“They say this system will reduce corruption,” said Byaruhanga. “But instead, it feels like extortion — and we are the ones bleeding.”

In the face of criticism, the government remains unapologetic. Officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport argue that the new system is essential to curb Uganda’s rising road fatalities — with 44.5% of them attributed to speeding, according to police statistics.

“This isn’t about punishment — it’s about saving lives,” said an ITMS official during a press briefing. “EPSAuto removes human bias, bribery, and selective enforcement. Everyone is equal before the law.”

Government vehicles are not exempt. Some civil servants have already had fines automatically deducted from their salaries, a move the government says reflects its commitment to fairness.

Despite the good intentions, transport unions, car dealers, and private motorists are calling for urgent revisions. Their demands include:

• A grace period for public education
• Visible and standardized signage for new speed zones
• A mechanism to fine actual drivers, not just registered owners
• Consideration for appeals and disputes

As social media continues to fill with screenshots of disputed fines and drivers vent their frustrations on radio talk shows, one thing is clear: EPSAuto may be digital, but Uganda’s response is deeply human — full of anger, fear, and calls for justice.

“Road safety is important,” said Ochieng, the car dealer. “But you can’t fix one problem by creating another.”