270 fake permits
The Criminal Investigation Directorate CID is recalling 270 driving permits fraudulently obtained from an employee attached to Uganda drive licensing system.
The Uganda Driver Licensing System(UDLS) is a project of the Ministry of Transport and Works to improve road safety in Uganda by licensing only competent drivers who have completed training from a licensed driving school.
Sserwadda Johnson has been accused of faking introductory letters from various driving schools and non-existing medical documents to distribute permits to his clients exorbitantly.
CID mouthpiece Charles Twine says investigations show that Sserwadda has been charging his clients between five hundred to seven hundred thousand shillings per permit.
Twine explains:’ ‘‘a learner’s permit doesn’t go even beyond 100,000 shillings, if it is a permit, it is around 230,000 if you are renewing, depending on how many years you want it is between 250000 and 310000 shillings. Yes although the permits have been given, what is the danger? he charges the money , he gives fake introductory letters.”
He says investigations are complete and Sserwadda who is in their custody will be charged and presented before the courts of law.
270 fake permits
Twine however says they resolved to call back the permits because the recipients have not undertaken the right procedure to obtain them which includes training. He says this poses a great risk of accidents and death to the public because several unqualified persons are on the road.
Twine explained during a joint security briefing at Naguru: ‘‘You and I and our relatives will be driven by these people who have not been tested. So we are working with all employers to ensure that all these 270 permits are recalled, and the applicants retested if they fail then they go through the normal procedures if they pass that is their lack.”
Uganda Driver Licensing System took over from Face Technologies after their contract to issue computerized driving licenses on behalf of the government, ended on February 28, 2021.
Under UDLS one can now receive a new driving license that is internationally recognized in less than an hour at the new facilities.
Compiled by Minah Nalule
