By Diana Kintu
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has expressed strong opposition to the recent implementation of the Express Penalty Scheme (EPS), citing concerns over high traffic fines and improper procedures surrounding its rollout. Speaking during a visit to Nakawa, Kampala, the President criticised the penalties as excessive and suggested that the system was pushed by individuals with links to criminal networks.
The Express Penalty Scheme, introduced as part of the Ministry of Works and Transport’s Integrated Transport Management System (ITMS), involved strict traffic penalties, including; increased fines for speeding, up to UGX 600,000, a shortened payment deadline from 28 days to 72 hours, a 50% penalty for late payments
These measures triggered public backlash and protests from motorists, leading the government to suspend enforcement in June 2025.
President Museveni claimed the scheme was introduced without adequate consultation and attributed its rushed implementation to a group of “corrupt individuals” working with criminal elements. He also stated that these individuals misled international partners involved in the system’s development.
Museveni emphasised that the original intent of introducing CCTV cameras and digital licence plates was to enhance crime detection and national security—not to collect revenue through traffic fines. He stated that surveillance infrastructure is meant to help law enforcement agencies track and apprehend criminals more efficiently.
To highlight the importance of surveillance technology, the President cited two recent murder cases:
- David Mutaaga and Deborah Naizuwa, a couple murdered in their Entebbe home after returning from abroad. Museveni attributed the delayed response to inadequate coordination amongst security agencies, adding that improved CCTV coverage could have aided in faster arrests.
- Godfrey Wanyengera, a school director from Mukono, was found dead near a railway line. The investigation led to the arrest of five suspects, including serving and former soldiers, through joint efforts between the Criminal Investigations Department and Defence Intelligence.
Museveni said these cases illustrate the critical role of digital licence plates and CCTV surveillance in criminal investigations.
The President instructed security agencies to avoid misusing surveillance tools for financial gain and instead focus on their role in crime prevention. He also called for improved cooperation amongst law enforcement bodies to prevent similar tragedies.
While the EPS remains suspended, the government plans to re-assess the traffic fine system in consultation with relevant stakeholders. President Museveni assured the public that individuals responsible for what he described as an “exploitative system” will be held accountable.