The Ministry of Works and Transport has convened a high-level meeting with key players in Uganda’s transport sector in a renewed push to streamline the country’s motor vehicle registration system.
The meeting, scheduled for May 5, 2026 in Kampala, follows earlier engagements on April 13 between the Delight Car Dealers Association and the ministry, where used car dealers raised concerns over persistent delays, fraud, and procedural bottlenecks.
Works and Transport Minister Edward Katumba Wamala has invited vehicle dealers, clearing agents, the government’s number plate contractor ITMS, and the Uganda Revenue Authority to a joint working session aimed at addressing the gaps.
Concerns raised by dealers point to growing malpractice within the system. William Eripu of the Delight Car Dealers Association welcomed the introduction of new digital number plates but warned of exploitation by individuals posing as agents who solicit money from dealers.
There are also reports of ground personnel informally selling number plates outside official channels.
The Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety, Mr. Katushabe, attributed part of the delays to clearing agents, accusing some of failing to complete required processes or deliberately slowing transactions for financial gain.
He noted that cases where vehicles appear “stuck” in the system are often the result of documentation errors or manipulation by intermediaries.
Motorists, he said, can use the Motor Vehicle Registration portal to track which agency is handling their application and identify where delays occur.
Katushabe also highlighted errors in customs declarations as a recurring issue, further complicating the clearance and registration process.
On the production side, ITMS says it has significantly scaled up capacity. According to company representative Joseph Tumwine, the firm’s expanded facility in Kyambogo now employs more than 300 Ugandans and produces up to 2,500 number plate kits daily.
Localization currently stands at 70 percent, with plans to achieve full-cycle production within East Africa by the end of the year.
Installation capacity is also increasing to meet demand. ITMS reports an average of 1,200 installations per day, with approximately 7,500 vehicles, including motorcycles, processed weekly.
New installation centres have been opened in Gulu and Fort Portal, adding to existing sites in Malaba, Mutukula, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, and Arua. Kampala currently operates 26 stationary centres alongside mobile installation units.
Officials from the Uganda Revenue Authority say coordination improvements with the Ministry of Works and the Motor Vehicle Registration division have already yielded progress, with 85 percent of new number plates now installed within 24 hours.
The target, authorities say, is to achieve full same-day installation for all vehicles cleared in the system by the end of the year.
Gen. Katumba Wamala reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforming the process, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and collaboration among all actors as key to restoring efficiency and public trust.
