Outspoken human rights lawyer Male Mabirizi has announced plans to take legal action against the government, accusing it of unlawfully enforcing traffic penalties under the Electronic Penalty System (EPS).
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Mabirizi argued that the EPS fines lack legal standing because they were never published in the Uganda Gazette, as required by law.
“There is no Gazette notice whatsoever backing the traffic fines being imposed,” he said.
According to Mabirizi, the Interpretation Act mandates that all statutory instruments and regulations must be published in the Gazette to have legal force.
“What’s happening now is outright illegal,” he declared.
He specifically cited Schedule 2, which outlines speed limits in urban and highway areas, as one of several documents being enforced without proper gazettement. Some documents, he added, claim to be official “orders” or “notices” but have no record in the official government publication.
“The government is extracting money from citizens under regulations that don’t legally exist,” Mabirizi said. “All fines collected under this regime are null and void, and the government must be prepared to refund every shilling—potentially with interest.”
His remarks come amid growing public outrage over traffic fines, with many motorists being charged between Shs200,000 and Shs300,000 for infractions often committed in poorly marked areas. Critics say the system prioritizes revenue collection over road safety.
In response, the Ministry of Works and Transport acknowledged public concerns about the EPS, particularly regarding speed and red-light enforcement.
While it promised to review the feedback and issue further guidance, the Ministry confirmed that the system remains active for now.
Mabirizi has vowed to file a formal legal challenge, warning that enforcement of un-gazetted regulations undermines the rule of law.
