The Ministry of Works and Transport has concluded a national validation workshop on the review of the Electronic Penalty System (EPS) and speed regulations, marking a key step in ongoing efforts to refine Uganda’s automated traffic enforcement framework following months of public debate, backlash, and policy reassessment.
The workshop brought together government officials, enforcement agencies, transport operators, and civil society actors to validate proposed reforms ahead of a Cabinet submission.
According to the Ministry, the process represents the final stage of consultations after widespread public concerns emerged during the early rollout of the system last year.
The EPS—formally part of Uganda’s broader Express Penalty Scheme—was introduced last year as a technology-driven enforcement mechanism designed to curb road crashes, improve compliance with traffic laws, and reduce corruption linked to manual traffic fines.
The system uses automated or semi-automated enforcement tools, including surveillance and digital fine issuance, to penalise speeding and other traffic violations.
However, its rollout quickly triggered public backlash from motorists, transport operators, and sections of civil society who raised concerns about high penalties, perceived inconsistencies in enforcement, limited public sensitisation, and the speed at which fines were being issued.
Critics also argued that the system initially placed greater emphasis on revenue collection than on behaviour change, prompting calls for suspension and comprehensive review.
In response to these concerns, government initiated a phased suspension and review process, allowing stakeholders to reassess fine structures, enforcement mechanisms, and operational gaps.
The current validation workshop is the culmination of that review cycle.
Among the key reforms endorsed is the proposal to restrict the 30km/h speed limit strictly to high-risk zones such as schools, hospitals, markets, and community access roads.
Urban roads and built-up areas are expected to adopt a standard 50km/h limit, while national roads and expressways will undergo further scientific assessment to determine appropriate thresholds.
Stakeholders also agreed to harmonise penalties, reducing the current fine range of Shs200,000–Shs600,000 to a uniform Shs160,000.
The payment window for EPS fines is also set to be extended from 72 hours to 28 days, a move aimed at easing compliance pressure on motorists.
Other proposed reforms include the introduction of a structured appeals mechanism for drivers, review of surcharge penalties on delayed payments, and a shift in enforcement focus toward identifying the actual offender rather than vehicle owners in disputed cases.
"The next step is presentation of a Cabinet paper and the Cabinet will deliberate on these refom proposals before consideration for implimentation," said Allan Ssempebwa, spokesperson of the Works and Transport ministry.
The Ministry also highlighted the need to strengthen road signage, enhance protection for vulnerable road users, and scale up public sensitisation.
Globally, similar automated traffic enforcement systems are widely used. Countries such as the United Kingdom rely heavily on speed cameras and digital penalty systems to enforce compliance, while in the region, Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and Rwanda have both integrated electronic monitoring tools to improve road discipline.
In most cases, however, such systems are accompanied by extensive public education campaigns and phased implementation to build trust.
Officials argue that Uganda’s reforms are intended to align the EPS with international best practice while addressing local concerns that emerged during early implementation.
The Ministry says the validated recommendations will be consolidated into a Cabinet paper for consideration before the next phase of implementation begins.
Despite the controversy, stakeholders maintain that the EPS remains a critical tool in reducing Uganda’s high road crash rates, which continue to claim thousands of lives annually, largely due to speeding and reckless driving.