Uganda has launched special UN/World Food Programme (WFP) vehicle number plates designed to speed up humanitarian operations across Africa, marking a major milestone in the country’s support for emergency response and regional relief efforts.
The plates were unveiled by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Ambassador Charles Ssentongo, the Ministry of Works and Transport, represented by Acting Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety Apollo Kashanku, and the World Food Programme.
According to officials, the special WFP plates will allow emergency convoys to move more freely and quickly across borders as they deliver food and life-saving supplies to communities affected by disasters.
The initiative is expected to significantly reduce delays often caused by customs clearance, administrative procedures and verification at checkpoints.
“This is a breakthrough in how fast humanitarian assistance can be deployed across the continent,” Ambassador Ssentongo said during the launch. “Uganda is proud to play a central role in improving the speed and efficiency of emergency response efforts.”
WFP says the new plates will cut transportation time for relief items from weeks to days, and in some cases, just hours—especially during floods, droughts, disease outbreaks or conflict-related crises.
Kashanku described the launch as part of Uganda’s broader strategy to modernize its transport systems and support global humanitarian partners. “Uganda remains committed to leveraging innovation to save lives. These plates will ease movement for WFP’s Emergency Response Fleet and enhance coordination during crises,” he said.
The introduction of WFP plates builds on Uganda’s recent rollout of digital number plates under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS)—a project aimed at improving security, tracking stolen vehicles and enhancing road safety.
The digital plates, which embed electronic chips linked to a central database, have already transformed vehicle identification and monitoring processes. Government officials say the same technological progress and regulatory strengthening that guided the digital plate rollout also informed the development of the WFP-specific plates.
Transport experts note that the move further positions Uganda as a regional logistics hub, supporting both national security efforts and international humanitarian work.
WFP officials expressed gratitude to the government for streamlining procedures that will enable faster responses across Africa, where millions rely on emergency food supplies every year.
The Emergency Response Fleet, based in Uganda, serves as a critical logistics backbone for WFP operations stretching from the Horn of Africa to the Great Lakes region and beyond.
With the new plates now in use, humanitarian convoys are expected to reach vulnerable populations more quickly, reducing suffering and improving early response during disasters.