The government is preparing major reforms that could remove car agents and clearing intermediaries from Uganda’s motor vehicle registration process, in a bid to streamline services and address complaints of delays and exploitation of motorists.
The proposed changes were discussed during a high-level meeting chaired by Works and Transport Minister Edward Katumba Wamala, which brought together vehicle dealers, clearing agents, officials from the Uganda Revenue Authority and representatives of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System.
Officials said government is increasingly concerned that some clearing agents have been collecting payments from clients but failing to complete registration processes in time, leading to delays in issuance of digital number plates and mounting frustration among motorists.
“We are here to make our system smooth and iron out any shortfalls,” Gen Katumba Wamala said during the meeting. “As stakeholders, feel free to raise areas that need improvement for the new regime of motor vehicle registration and number plate issuance.”
Sources indicated that the Ministry of Works and Transport is now considering a direct-to-user model where motorists and dealers would process applications through the Motor Vehicle Registration portal without relying on intermediaries.
Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety Winstone Katushabe attributed many of the delays to agents who fail to complete documentation after receiving payments.
“Out of the 77,410 cars that were released, 95% of these cars are worked on within eight hours. However, the blame is on clearing agents, who fail to complete required processes and deliberately delay their clients for financial gain,” Katushabe said.
Officials also revealed that more than 1,338 vehicles have remained pending for over two months due to errors in documentation and incomplete submissions by agents and clearing firms.
The Ministry argued that motorists are often subjected to hidden or unjustified fees while waiting weeks or months for registration and number plate installation.
Katushabe recommended wider use of the Motor Vehicle Registration portal, allowing vehicle owners to track applications in real time and identify the agencies handling their requests.
The reforms come amid ongoing public scrutiny of Uganda’s digital number plate rollout under the ITMS system, which has faced criticism over delays since its introduction.
ITMS representative Joseph Tumwine said the system has expanded production capacity at its Kyambogo facility, where about 2,500 number plate kits are now produced daily by more than 300 workers.
He added that 84% of registrations are currently completed within 24 hours of payment, with government targeting same-day installation for fully cleared vehicles by the end of the year.
“By the end of this year, a motor vehicle fully cleared for installation will be fitted with a number plate on the same day of application,” officials from URA said during the meeting.
ITMS further noted that weekly installations have risen to about 7,500 vehicles nationwide, supported by new and expanded centres in Gulu, Fort Portal, Malaba, Mutukula, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, Arua, and 26 installation stations in Kampala.
While the proposed reforms are expected to face resistance from stakeholders in the vehicle clearing industry, government officials insist the changes are necessary to improve efficiency, eliminate corruption, and restore public confidence in the registration system.
