ITMS and EPSAuto: Uganda’s Road Safety Revolution Takes Digital Turn
Kampala | May 1, 2025
The Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) in partnership with Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport held a comprehensive stakeholder sensitization meeting this week to introduce EPSAuto—the Express Penalty Scheme Automated system poised to transform traffic management and road safety across the country.
The high-level presentation, attended by government agency spokespersons and key stakeholders including APT Communications’ SCEAP road awareness initiative team, revealed the intricate details of this technological advancement in Uganda’s transport sector.
Tackling a National Crisis
The urgency behind ITMS implementation becomes clear when examining the sobering statistics shared during the presentation. Uganda currently experiences approximately 3,757 road fatalities annually, with over 20,000 vehicle accidents occurring each year. With 600,000 cars and 1.2 million boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) on Ugandan roads, the need for enhanced monitoring and enforcement has never been more critical.
“The goal is to make Kampala and Uganda at large a smart and safe city and country,” stated an ITMS representative during the presentation, echoing the project’s ambitious vision.
EPSAuto: Modernizing Traffic Enforcement
EPSAuto stands as one of the most actively operational modules within the broader ITMS framework. The system handles the semi-automation of traffic violation detection, electronic fine issuance (e-fines), and streamlines revenue collection from penalties.
The presentation detailed the system’s straightforward process flow:
- Detection of Violations: The system identifies infractions such as over-speeding and running red lights.
- Capture and Processing: EPSAuto records the vehicle’s number plate, precise time and location of the violation, and photographic evidence.
- E-Fine Generation: Violations are logged into the central ITMS database, with e-tickets generated against the offending vehicle after verification by an in-charge police officer.
- Owner Notification: The registered vehicle owner receives notification via SMS or email detailing the nature of the violation, fine amount, payment deadline, and payment channels.
- Digital Payment Options: Offenders can settle fines through multiple channels including Mobile Money (MTN, Airtel Money), banks, POS outlets, or online portals linked to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) or Police systems.
- Enforcement Mechanisms: The system tracks compliance, with accumulated unpaid fines potentially leading to vehicle impoundment, denial of registration services, or court summons.
The President’s Vision
The initiative aligns with President Yoweri Museveni’s longstanding vision for digital transportation monitoring. The presentation highlighted the President’s 2018 statement: “Electronic number plates with electronic signals are what we desire. If a crime is committed in any location, we will be able to see whose cars were in that area. Our central monitoring system will be informed if someone tries to tamper with the number plates, and we will go after the offender.”
Comprehensive Infrastructure
ITMS has established significant infrastructure to support this digital transformation, including:
- Production Facilities: The Kawempe Production Warehouse serves as a central hub for digital number plate manufacturing and distribution, with workers shown assembling and processing the new electronic plates.
- Border Integration: The Malaba Warehouse demonstrates how the system will integrate with cross-border traffic, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Rapid Implementation: The system is already achieving impressive installation rates, with over 300 motorcycles and 200 cars receiving digital plates daily as part of “The Big Switch” initiative.
Broader ITMS Components
The presentation outlined how EPSAuto fits within the larger ITMS ecosystem, which includes:
- Digital Number Plates: Featuring automatic number plate recognition technology
- CCTV Cameras: For speed and red light enforcement
- Command Centers: For centralized monitoring and control
- Database Integration: Linking various government systems
The primary objectives of ITMS extend beyond traffic enforcement to include managing vehicle-related crime, improving traffic control, enhancing road safety, and eliminating duplicate vehicle registrations.
Progress to Date
The sensitization event showcased ITMS’s current operational status, highlighting training programs for police personnel who will interact with the system. Photos from the presentation depicted both classroom and practical training sessions, official certification ceremonies, and the formal launch event attended by high-ranking government officials.
Looking Forward
As Uganda continues this digital transformation of its transport sector, ITMS and the Ministry of Works and Transport emphasize that the public sensitization campaign will expand in the coming weeks, with additional stakeholder engagements planned nationwide.
The system is being implemented in partnership with Joint Stock Company Global Security, bringing international expertise to this Ugandan initiative that aims to create “a safe road environment” through the integration of “advanced technologies in monitoring, video surveillance, data analytics, control systems and communications.”
For more information about EPSAuto and the broader ITMS initiative, the public is encouraged to visit www.itms.ug or contact ITMS at their headquarters located at Plot 38A, Impala Avenue and Plot 1A, Roscoe Road, Kololo, Kampala.
APT Communication’s SCEAP Involvement
APT Communications, which runs SCEAP, one of Uganda’s instrumental road awareness initiatives, participated in the stakeholder engagement.
SCEAP agrees while technological solutions are essential, public awareness and education remain equally important components of any road safety initiative. Our road awareness programs will work hand-in-hand with ITMS to ensure road users understand both their rights and responsibilities under the new system.
APT News is committed to providing comprehensive coverage of technological advancements in Uganda’s public service sector. Our affiliate, SCEAP, continues to champion road safety awareness through various initiatives complementing governmental efforts.