The Government of Uganda has rolled out the new Electronic Penalty System (Epsauto), a high-tech, camera-enabled solution designed to tackle two of the country’s most dangerous traffic violations: speeding and running red lights. Ugandans however question whether the new system will sort the mess that are boda bodas in Kampala other cities, and urban centers .
This is a major milestone for Uganda’s ongoing efforts to modernize its traffic management and reduce the alarming number of road accidents many of them avoidable that claim thousands of lives each year.
Developed under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), the EPSAuto system is now fully operational, functioning around the clock to monitor vehicle movement and enforce compliance with traffic laws.
This initiative, led by the Ministry of Works and Transport in partnership with the Uganda Traffic and Road Safety Directorate and Uganda Police, is part of a broader strategy to promote road safety through technology.
Ayesiga Priscah Pearl, the Public Relations Officer at ITMS, emphasized the importance of responsible road usage and the role the new system will play in shaping safer driving behavior across the country.
“As part of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System, EPSAuto is now in operation. We urge all road users, including drivers and motorcyclists, to prioritize safety and compliance with traffic laws,” she said. “By doing so, these penalties can be avoided entirely. The system operates 24/7, capturing red light and speeding violations. It applies to all vehicles except those on emergency duty and is aimed at promoting responsible driving and saving lives.”
With this system in place, traffic violations are no longer left solely to the discretion of traffic officers or sporadic checkpoints. EPSAuto relies on an advanced network of road cameras installed in strategic locations across major towns and intersections.
These cameras automatically detect when a vehicle exceeds the speed limit or disobeys a traffic signal. Once a violation is recorded, the footage is relayed in real time to a centralized command centre managed by the Uganda Police Force.
From there, a penalty notice is generated and sent directly to the offender’s mobile phone, eliminating the need for on-the-spot fines or roadside altercations.
According to Allan Ssempebwa, the Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, the EPSAuto rollout is being implemented in phases, with the current focus exclusively on red light violations and speeding.
“Other traffic offenses will continue to be enforced by traffic officers,” Ssempebwa clarified. “If a motorist breaks either of these two rules, the system will automatically trigger an alert to the control center, and a ticket will be generated and sent directly to the offender’s mobile phone.”
He further explained that the system does not discriminate between vehicles with digital number plates and those with traditional plates.
“Whether your vehicle has a digital or conventional number plate, you are equally accountable under this system,” Ssempebwa said. This comprehensive coverage ensures that no motorist can evade enforcement simply because of the type of plate they use.
While the EPSAuto system might appear strict, authorities maintain that it is not intended to punish motorists arbitrarily. Instead, it is a proactive tool meant to protect lives, particularly those of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, school children, and cyclists.
Ayesiga noted that some drivers have mistakenly assumed that speed limits apply uniformly to all roads, but this is not the case. Specific high-risk areas such as school zones, markets, and pedestrian crossings carry a stricter speed cap, typically 30 kilometers per hour.
“These regulations are designed for a reason,” she said. “Compliance is not just a legal obligation; it’s a critical safeguard for everyone.
Following traffic rules ensures a smooth and safe journey for all road users.”
The need for such a system has become even more apparent in light of recent road safety data. The 2024 Police Annual Crime Report revealed that Uganda registered 25,107 road crashes that year, a staggering figure that resulted in 5,144 fatalities.
