The government has admitted to major gaps in the rollout of its Automated Express Penalty System (EPS Auto), following a public outcry over flawed traffic fines and technical irregularities.
In response, the Ministry of Works and Transport has suspended the system for one month, effective June 12 to July 12, to allow for a thorough review, stakeholder engagement, and public sensitization.
In a statement released on Thursday, Minister of Works and Transport Edward Katumba-Wamala said the move followed weeks of pressure from road users, public transport operators, and civil society who pointed out critical failures in the way the system was being implemented.
“We listened,” Gen Katumba said. “We have received a number of complaints and concerns from the general public. It has become clear that while our intentions were good, the implementation of the EPS Auto system requires improvement—both in how it works and how it is understood.”
The EPS Auto, implemented under the Traffic and Road Safety (Prescription of Speed Limits Regulations) 2025, had sparked national outrage for what many perceived as excessive fines, a rigid payment window, and flawed implementation.
Drivers across the country — from taxi operators to truck drivers — raised alarm over what they called unfair and erroneous penalties issued by the system.
At the heart of the complaints were duplicated fines, wrongly issued tickets, and penalties stemming from what stakeholders described as a “mismatch” between the Police EPS data and the newly automated system.
There were also concerns about the lack of road signage, unclear enforcement zones, and the arbitrary application of a 30km/h speed limit across urban areas.
Motorists complained of duplicated fines, mismatched offences, and fines issued without corresponding violations.
These problems stemmed largely from errors in synchronizing EPS data between the Uganda Police and the new traffic monitoring system.
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Gen Katumba said the one-month suspension will allow the government to:
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Conduct a full audit of the issued fines and resolve erroneous cases;
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Review the regulations, especially the scope of the 30KPH limit;
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Align speed camera locations with road signage;
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Educate the public on the regulations and how the EPS Auto system works;
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Continue stakeholder engagements to make the system more transparent and fair.
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Katumba revealed that during an emergency meeting with representatives from the Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators (UTOF), truck drivers, and the Airport Taxi Drivers Association, additional systemic flaws were flagged.
Stakeholders complained about excessive fines, the lack of prior public education, a narrow 72-hour payment window, and unclear speed limit signage across urban road networks.
“There were questions about why a 30 kilometers-per-hour limit was being enforced across entire towns,” Katumba said, “yet the law only intended that for specific zones like schools, hospitals, markets, and churches.”
In some areas, including the stretch between Nkumba and Katabi on Entebbe Road, speed cameras were reportedly placed without proper signage—leaving drivers unaware they were being monitored or that they were in violation of any speed limit.
Katumba acknowledged the frustration this caused.
“These are not small matters. They affect livelihoods. They affect trust. If we are to win public cooperation in improving road safety, then we must first get the basics right.”
The Minister commended public transporters for choosing dialogue over disruption.
“I appreciate the civil approach by the taxi operators, truck drivers, and others in seeking dialogue with the Ministry instead of strikes or inciting violence. This is the right way to resolve differences.”
During the suspension period, the government will review all fines issued through the EPS Auto, audit the system’s performance, realign camera zones with proper road signage, narrow the scope of enforcement to appropriate zones, and carry out mass sensitization to ensure road users understand both the technology and the regulations behind it.
Katumba emphasized that the suspension is not a reversal of the country’s road safety goals.
“Let me be clear—this is not a retreat. We are not backing away from the goal of safer roads. But safety must be achieved hand in hand with fairness, accuracy, and public support.”
He urged all motorists to continue driving responsibly and obeying traffic rules as the review process gets underway.
“The law is still in force—only the automated enforcement is suspended as we fix what needs fixing.”
The EPS Auto suspension highlights the growing influence of public accountability in shaping policy and serves as a lesson in the importance of clear communication and technical readiness in rolling out digital enforcement systems.