The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Rt Hon Joel Ssenyonyi, has officially written to the Minister of Works and Transport, raising “serious public concerns” regarding the recently intensified implementation of the Automated Electronic Penalty System (EPS) across Uganda.
Ssenyonyi’s letter, dated June 10, 2025, calls for an urgent review and recalibration of the system, which he describes as “punitive and exploitative.”
Central to Ssenyonyi’s concerns is the financial arrangement with the private company implementing the EPS.
He notes that 80% of the revenue generated from the fines will be taken by the private entity, Joint Stock Company-Global Security, with only 20% going to the Ugandan Government.
The Leader of Opposition also questioned the company’s competence, stating that it has no historical competence of doing this kind of work.
“Everything around this project is fishy, and we previously rejected it through a minority report, which was adopted by the whole house.” he said
Ssenyonyi acknowledged the EPS’s stated intention of promoting road safety and order but asserted that its current execution has raised widespread alarm among motorists and other road users.
He detailed numerous complaints received, pointing to what drivers describe as a relentless and, in many cases, excessive issuance of traffic fines without clear and accessible justification.
Among the specific issues outlined in his letter are: inadequate public sensitization prior to the rollout, leaving many motorists ill-informed on how the system works, how to verify penalties, or how to contest wrongful fines.
Enforcement of unusually low-speed limits in certain areas, such as the Kampala Northern Bypass, without clear signage or logical justification, leading to confusion and inadvertent violations. Concerns that the slow speeds required by the EPS in high-risk areas, like the bypass, expose motorists to ambushes and criminal attacks, including by those wielding stones.
Motorists with pending tickets are reportedly unable to renew their driving licenses or even travel out of the country. Ssenyonyi argues such restrictions appear “overly harsh,” especially when appeals or verifications have not been processed.
Reports of erroneous fines being issued or violations occurring without drivers being aware of the specific infraction, leading to a lack of transparency and undermining public trust.
During rush hour, traffic police often override traffic light signals to manage flow. Motorists following police directives risk automatic penalties from the EPS for disregarding the traffic lights.
Hon. Ssenyonyi explained that while he would have preferred to raise these matters directly on the floor of Parliament, the House is currently in recess. Nevertheless, he formally requested the Minister’s office to “review the implementation of the EPS, conduct broad consultations with stakeholders, and institute corrective measures where necessary.”
Copies of the letter were also sent to the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the Director of the Uganda Police Traffic Directorate.
Fines Applicable to All Vehicles (Motor Vehicles, Trailers, Engineering Plants)
These penalties cover a broad spectrum of infractions, from essential documentation to safe operation and responsible conduct on the road.
Motorists are now mandated to pay traffic fines within 72 hours (three days) of receiving an EPS ticket, with a hefty 50 percent surcharge slapped on defaulters. The Auto EPS system has primarily targeted speeding offenses, with some motorists reporting fines as high as Shs600,000 for exceeding limits by just a few kilometers per hour.
The regulation mandates a speed limit of 30km/hr in areas adjacent to schools, churches, hospitals, markets, or business centers with high human or vehicular interaction. This also reduces the speed limit on paved highways in such environments from 50km/hr to 30km/hr.
Driving an uninsured vehicle: Shs40,000
Driving a car with obscure registration numbers: Shs40,000
Driving without a valid driving permit: Shs100,000
Using a goods vehicle on a road in a dangerous manner: Shs200,000
Using a motor vehicle when it is not licensed to do so: Shs100,000
Using a vehicle operator’s license in breach of its terms: Shs200,000
Using a motor vehicle which is not in good condition on the road: Shs60,000
Driving with blood alcohol concentration above prescribed limits: Shs200,000
Driving under the influence of drugs: Shs200,000
Careless or inconsiderate use of a motor vehicle: Shs100,000
Failure to give right of way to authorized emergency vehicles or driving on shoulders: Shs100,000
Failure to stop at a railway level crossing: Shs40,000
Carrying of passengers on a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant in such numbers or in such a position as to be likely to interfere with safe driving: Shs100,000
Driving a motor vehicle without a copy of the registration book in respect of the vehicle: Shs40,000
Carrying of passengers on a motor vehicle, trailer or engineering plant, obstructing a road or waiting, or being left or parked or being loaded or unloaded in a road: Shs100,000
Vehicles obstructing the road or waiting, or being left or parked or being loaded or unloaded in a road: Shs100,000
Failure to use child restraints: Shs40,000
