The Ministry of Works and Transport is redesigning its automated traffic penalty system after widespread complaints from motorists, promising a fairer and more accurate approach while keeping a strong focus on reducing speeding.
The Express Penalty Scheme, which relies on cameras to detect speeding and red-light violations, had been put on hold after drivers raised concerns about being issued multiple fines for the same offence and confusion over how the system operates legally. Officials now say those concerns are guiding a major overhaul.
According to Winstone Katushabe, Commissioner for Road Safety, the revised system is being shaped by lessons learned during the suspension period. He noted that speeding remains one of the biggest contributors to road crashes, making it a key target in the new plan.
A major change will be the introduction of strictly enforced 30 km/h speed limits in high-risk areas such as near schools, hospitals, markets and places of worship. Robert Kisakye, a senior licensing officer at the ministry, explained that earlier proposals had wrongly suggested applying the limit across entire roads. The updated approach now focuses only on zones where pedestrians are most vulnerable.
The government is also addressing some of the issues that led to public frustration. These include reviewing how long motorists are given to pay fines and clearly defining responsibility when a vehicle is driven by someone other than its owner. Previously, conflicting timelines—ranging from 28 days to just 72 hours—had caused confusion.
On the technical side, improvements are being made to eliminate duplicate penalties and strengthen coordination between the ministry and the police. The upgraded system is currently being tested using government vehicles before a phased rollout begins in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
To make the system more transparent, authorities will install visible warning signs ahead of camera locations so that drivers are aware before reaching enforcement points.
The overhaul comes at a time when Uganda is grappling with rising road accidents. In 2024 alone, more than 25,000 crashes were recorded, with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 fatalities each year—many linked to speeding and reckless driving.
The ministry will continue gathering feedback from stakeholders in cities such as Jinja, Gulu and Mbarara before presenting its final recommendations to Cabinet.
