Uganda has officially launched the Automated Electronic Penalty System (EPSAuto), a high-tech, camera-driven platform designed to curb reckless driving and enhance road safety across the country.
Unveiled by the Ministry of Works and Transport, the EPSAuto system is now operational on major roads and intersections around the country. The system automatically detects violations such as speeding and running red lights, issuing electronic fines without the need for a traffic officer on the scene.
The initiative, part of Uganda’s broader Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS), is aimed at reversing a worrying trend in road fatalities.
According to ministry data, the country recorded 5,144 road crash deaths in 2024, a staggering 80.8% increase from 2014. Alarmingly, nearly 60% of the victims were vulnerable road users, including passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
“Each statistic represents a human story, a life cut short or forever changed by an incident that could have been prevented,” said Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport, during the 4th Edition of the National Road Safety Marathon in Kampala.
What EPSAuto Does
The EPSAuto system integrates CCTV surveillance, digital number plate recognition, real-time data analysis, and a national database to identify and track traffic violations.
Once a vehicle is flagged, an electronic fine is issued automatically and logged into the ITMS database. The vehicle owner receives a notification via SMS or email detailing the violation, location, time, fine amount, and payment options.
Fines under the system are tiered:
Exceeding the speed limit by up to 30 km/h results in a UGX 200,000 fine.
Exceeding the limit by 31 km/h or more incurs a UGX 600,000 penalty.
The new speed regulations are tailored for different road types and environments, with lower limits in built-up and high-traffic areas, especially where pedestrians are present.
Payment can be made via mobile money (MTN, Airtel), commercial banks, point-of-sale terminals, and online portals integrated with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Uganda Police systems.
Who Can Be Fined?
Any driver or rider, whether Ugandan or foreign, that violates traffic rules is subject to penalties. Foreign drivers are required to settle any fines before leaving Uganda.
Failure to Pay Has Consequences
Non-compliance comes with serious repercussions: vehicle impounding, court summons, blocked registration services, and mounting penalties. The government hopes this will encourage compliance and develop a culture of responsibility on the roads.
The Ministry clarified that Epsauto’s goal is not punishment but discipline and life preservation. It has also intensified public engagement, particularly targeting commercial riders (boda-bodas), truck drivers, and motorists through stakeholder forums and community outreach.
“We are digitizing enforcement, but we must also build awareness,” Gen. Katumba emphasized, “Technology is the tool, but responsible behavior remains the goal.”
Speed Limit Zones Clarified
Winston Katushabe, Commissioner of Transport Regulation and Safety at the Ministry of Works and Transport, has clarified the designated speed limits across various zones.
He stated that a 30 km/h limit will be strictly enforced in residential areas and near schools, hospitals, and busy markets where pedestrian traffic is high. A 50 km/h limit will apply to urban centers and most highways within towns.
“For expressways, the speed limit is set at 80 km/h, where traffic is faster but still regulated. “The maximum limit of 100 km/h is reserved for designated expressways, designed to safely accommodate higher speeds,” he explained.
Contrary to public misconceptions, the 30 km/h speed limit is not universal; it is specifically applied to areas with high pedestrian activity, in order to protect vulnerable road users, particularly children and pedestrians.
“In response to feedback from stakeholders on the Automated Express Penalty System, especially concerning speed enforcement and red-light violations, the government is currently reviewing the input and will issue further guidance in due course,” the ministry announced via X (formerly Twitter).
Root Causes of Road Carnage
Data from the 2024 Uganda Police Annual Crime Report reveals that careless overtaking (5,657 incidents) and speeding (5,505 incidents) were the leading causes.
of road crashes, together accounting for nearly 45% of all accidents. Also notable was following too closely (1,753 incidents), another speeding-related behavior.
Motorcyclists were the most affected group, accounting for 33% of fatalities in 2023, a figure that rises to 47% when including their passengers.
The EPSAuto system is just one part of a sweeping reform effort. The Ministry has revised the Traffic and Road Safety (Speed Limits) Regulations (2004) to align with current realities. Other digital enforcement tools include digital number plates, updated registration protocols, and a central command center to manage traffic data.
As Uganda’s roads get smarter, motorists are being urged to slow down, stay alert, and understand that the rules are no longer optional. They’re digitally enforced.