On Thursday, May 29, 2025, a routine traffic stop in Bugolobi turned into a national talking point when a motorist, Laban Mujuni Mboneizina, was issued a Shs40,000 Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) ticket.
Traffic Officer Hajarah Namugogo had seemingly gone overboard in setting Mujuni back by Shs40,000 for a seemingly trivial offence: not carrying a copy of his vehicle’s registration book, commonly known as a logbook.
When a photo of the EPS ticket made its way into social media, Ugandans across the country were confused. Many asked: Since when did not having a logbook copy in your glove compartment become a crime?
The short answer: Since 1998.
What the Law Says
According to Section 146(2) and (5) of Uganda’s Traffic and Road Safety Act (Cap. 361), as amended in 2020, any person driving a motor vehicle, trailer, or engineering plant on a public road must have in their possession a copy of the vehicle’s registration book.
If a uniformed officer stops you and asks for it, you are expected to present it on the spot. If you fail to do so, the law gives you up to 120 hours (five days) to produce the original at a designated police station.
Failure to comply is not a warning-level offence—it’s legally punishable. On conviction, you could face a fine of up to 300 currency points (Shs6 million), six months in prison, or both.
So yes, driving without a logbook copy is indeed an offence—and has been for decades.
Why This Matters
Think of your logbook as your car’s birth certificate. It proves:
- Who owns the vehicle
- The make and model
- The chassis and engine numbers
- And the car’s official registration status
If you're stopped during operations targeting stolen vehicles, cars with altered identities, or unpaid taxes, the logbook is a frontline verification tool.
What’s a Demerit Point?
Under the Traffic and Road Safety (Demerit Points System) Regulations, 2023, traffic offences now come with demerit points—a system used to discourage repeat violations.
Driving without a logbook earns you one demerit point. It may sound minor, but these points accumulate.
Here’s how it works:
- Each offence adds points to your record (e.g., 1–10 depending on severity).
- If you collect 12 points within 24 months, penalties kick in:
- Your driving permit may be suspended
- You could be forced to retest or retrain
- Repeat or severe offenders may even lose their permits altogether
So, while skipping the logbook might seem harmless, it’s part of a broader system to improve road discipline.
What You Should Do
To avoid fines and demerits:
- Always carry a photocopy of your vehicle’s registration book (original can stay home).
- Store it in your glovebox or car folder along with your driver’s permit, insurance, and third-party sticker.
- If you get a ticket, pay the Shs40,000 EPS fine within the prescribed time to avoid escalation.
Final Word
The outcry over Laban Mujuni’s ticket shows just how many motorists are unaware of this requirement.
But ignorance of the law is no defence.
Uganda’s road safety framework is getting stricter—and it’s our responsibility as drivers to stay informed.
As Traffic Police continues to enforce long-standing laws more consistently, it’s best to treat your logbook copy as essential—just like your license and seatbelt.
Remember, the new traffic rules went into full force this month and the wrath with which it is hitting is not for the joking around. For a country that is out to dust every taxable avenue, those EPS tickets could be the way.
Knowing the law could help. Just a little.