The Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Works and Transport and Ministry of Security has set new dates for the Implementation of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) project nearly after three years since its agreement was signed between the Government and Joint Stock Global Security Company-a Russian farm-to deliver the project.
During a joint press meeting held on Thursday in Kampala, the minister of security, Major General Jim Muhwezi informed the public that the implementation of the project was key due to the high level of motor vehicle theft and traffic crimes.
“Tracking down criminals and bringing traffic offenders to justice has substantially been bogged down due to lack of sufficient evidence regarding motor vehicles used to execute these crimes”. the Minister said.
He added that despite various interventions, these problems have persisted although some of them have been mitigated with system improvements, many are expected to be addressed through the implementation of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System.
According to the minister, a full installation kit comprises of two aluminum Registration plates for the front and the back, A Tracker, A Sim-chip, Two Blue tooth beacons for both front and back and Snap locks for both front and back which will enable tracking of all vehicles in real-time on the ITMS Platform at the Police Command centers of Naguru and Nateete to allow the Government of Uganda trace and resolve vehicle criminals/traffic offenders as and when required.
The Minister noted that the roll-out of the project was supposed to be 1st March 2024 but it was postponed to 01st July 2023, due to logistical challenges but the business community led by KACITA petitioned Parliament to halt the exercise citing lack of enough public sensitization and readiness of the public hence stalling the project.
Due to the above huddles, an extension was made to 01st November 2023, starting with the fitment of new registration plates to Government Vehicles.
A total of 1091 Government vehicles from various ministries out of over 25,000 vehicles have been fitted with the ITMS of which the shortfall had been attributed to persistent logistical challenges which are slowly being resolved.
Government will start issuing registration plates to new motorcycles on 1st November 2024 and full roll-out of all categories of vehicles and motorcycles will start on 6th January 2025.
