Uganda’s digital number plates project, introduced as a major security initiative to help police track stolen vehicles and fight crime, is facing growing scrutiny from Parliament over its cost, procurement process and overall performance.

Nearly three years after its official launch in November 2023, questions remain about whether the project has delivered the results originally promised.

At the centre of the controversy are three retired generals who held key government positions during the project’s development and implementation: Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi and Gen. (Rtd) Edward Katumba Wamala.

Their ministries were involved in different aspects of the initiative, which was intended to connect vehicle identification technology with security operations.

Katumba Wamala, who headed the Ministry of Works and Transport, defended the project before Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure Committee, describing it as primarily a security intervention.

He explained that President Yoweri Museveni had directed the establishment of an integrated vehicle-monitoring system to support police investigations. Several government institutions, including Police, the UPDF, the Ministry of Finance and the Solicitor General, were involved in the arrangements.

Security Minister Jim Muhwezi has also defended the system, insisting that it works across Uganda and beyond its borders. He cited an incident in which a stolen police vehicle was reportedly traced to Kenya and recovered with the help of the digital plates.

Police presented figures showing that 337 of 375 reported stolen motor vehicles had been recovered, representing about 90 per cent.

However, only 174 of 782 reported stolen motorcycles had been recovered, highlighting a significant gap in motorcycle recovery.

Former Internal Affairs Minister Kahinda Otafiire has offered a different assessment, questioning whether the project delivered meaningful improvements over the previous system.

Appearing before Parliament, he described the technology’s earlier implementation as providing little added value and said he did not know whether it had since improved. He also questioned why the government abandoned the previous number plate supplier, GM Tumpeco, associated with businessman Gordon Wavamunno.

The Russian company Joint Stock Company Global Security (JSCGS), which is involved in the project, has also come under scrutiny as MPs examine the procurement and financial arrangements.

One major concern is the reported Shs714,000 charge for digital number plates, with legislators questioning why vehicles and motorcycles are charged the same amount despite differences in size and the financial circumstances of motorcycle operators.

MPs are seeking to establish whether the pricing structure represents value for money.

The Ministry of Works and Transport has, however, reported improvements in the time taken to receive number plates.

Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety Winston Katushabe told MPs that the average waiting period had dropped from 19 days in December 2025 to two days in September 2026. Parliament also visited the Police Command Centre in Naguru on October 2 to observe the tracking system in operation.

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Committee chairperson Mwine Mpaka said the demonstration established that cars and motorcycles could be tracked, while noting that improvements were still needed.

Despite evidence that the technology can track vehicles, major questions remain about procurement decisions, the cost of the plates, the contractor’s obligations and the system’s overall effectiveness.

The three former ministers have offered differing views on the project’s purpose and performance, but determining individual responsibility will require examination of the relevant contracts, government records and decisions made during implementation.

Parliament’s inquiry is expected to help establish whether the project has delivered value for money and fulfilled the security promises made at its launch.