Motorists in Uganda are set to face a revamped Express Penalty System (EPS) and revised speed regulations, following new reforms endorsed by the Ministry of Works and Transport after nationwide consultations.
The proposed changes, which are yet to be approved by Cabinet and Parliament, are aimed at improving road safety, reducing accidents, and strengthening enforcement against reckless driving.
One of the key adjustments is the extension of the payment period for EPS fines. Under the new proposal, motorists will have up to 28 days to clear express penalty tickets, replacing the current 72-hour window.
Authorities are also reviewing speed limits in sensitive areas. The long-standing 30 km/h limit will no longer apply universally in all designated zones. Instead, it will be applied more selectively in high-risk areas such as hospitals, markets, and community access roads, where stricter traffic control is needed.
In addition, the government plans to streamline speeding penalties. The current fines of Shs200,000 for speeding and Shs600,000 for excessive speeding are expected to be merged into a single standard penalty of Shs160,000.
The reforms follow months of consultations involving government ministries, road safety organisations, driver associations, enforcement agencies, and boda boda groups across the country.
According to the Ministry of Works and Transport, the feedback collected from stakeholders will now be submitted to Cabinet for review before being presented to Parliament for debate and possible enactment into law.
Winston Katushabe, Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety, said the proposed reforms are designed to ensure fairness and improve enforcement efficiency, especially when dealing with drivers who evade penalties.
He noted that vehicle owners will also be required to take greater responsibility for drivers they employ, including providing formal contracts or identification details to help authorities trace offenders.
Katushabe further revealed that a demerit point system is also being considered, where reckless drivers would lose points on their driving licences, potentially affecting their eligibility to drive.
