The government is set to overhaul Uganda’s driver licensing system by introducing an automated process that will span from application to testing. This move is aimed at eliminating unqualified drivers who acquire licenses based on luck rather than merit.
Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, emphasized the need for a more rigorous testing system, stating, “We want to ensure that the applicant is tested beyond the wheel, including the theory part of it.” He highlighted the alarming fact that, if 60 drivers were randomly selected and tested on theoretical questions about road use, fewer than 20% would pass.
The automated system will eliminate human interactions throughout the process, with applicants being assessed purely based on their performance in computer-scored tests. “With the new system, there will not be those human interactions where the computer scores you on every stage, and for us, we assess you based on the percentage of questions you have gotten right,” Gen. Wamala explained.
Minister of Works, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, championed the initiative, stressing the importance of ensuring only qualified drivers are on the road. “We want to ensure that applicants are assessed based on their true abilities, not on luck,” Wamala said, highlighting the government’s commitment to fair and thorough evaluations. With over 4,000 Ugandans losing their lives annually to traffic accidents, many caused by unqualified drivers, this change is vital.
“We are losing people at a rate which isn’t sustainable as a country, over 4650 people every year isn’t something to be proud of,” he said.
The new system will automate both practical and theoretical driving tests, with computer-scored evaluations ensuring that applicants are judged solely on merit. “No more ‘lucky passes or corruption,” Gen. Wamala stated, reinforcing the system’s focus on competence.
The Uganda Driver Licensing System (UDLS) one-stop centre, located in Kampala, will serve as the hub for this new process. Set to open in June, it will streamline the entire licensing procedure, from application submission to testing, all in one computerized environment. This new system will significantly reduce the time it takes to obtain a license—applicants can expect to receive their licenses in as little as 30 minutes, compared to the lengthy process that previously took weeks or even months.
While some critics have raised concerns about the system’s efficiency and reliability, Gen. Wamala assured the public that early pilot phases have been successful. “The system is already proving to be efficient, corruption-free, and reliable,” he said.
In addition to the automated system, the Uganda Security Printing Company (USPC) is working to expedite the production of official documents, helping to further reduce processing time. USPC’s managing director, George Mugerwa, has called for additional funding to keep the project on track, emphasizing the importance of a corruption-free system.
Road safety is at the heart of this initiative. Commissioner Winstone Katushabe of the Uganda Transport Commission noted that the new system will save lives by improving road safety and streamlining the licensing process. “These changes will play a major role in reducing road crashes and ensuring safer streets for all Ugandans,” Katushabe said.
With the automated licensing system set to launch in June, Uganda is entering into a new era of road safety, transparency, and accountability. This shift promises to make the country’s roads safer and the licensing process more efficient and accessible for all.