Government officials have moved to clarify the purpose of the newly introduced Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), emphasizing that its core mission is national security and public safety—not revenue collection through traffic fines.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Security Minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi addressed rising public concern over the high fines associated with the Express Penalty System (EPS), a component of the ITMS, which automatically charges traffic violators based on camera surveillance. The minister stressed that the system’s implementation had been misunderstood.
“People are getting diverted by the penalties. The ITMS was never about money, it’s about tracking movement, enhancing security, and deterring crime. The confusion came from an overlap with traffic law enforcement,” Minister Muhwezi said at the NRM Secretariat.
He explained that the Ministry of Works and Transport had agreed to suspend enforcement of the EPS until July 15 to review the penalty structure and address public concerns. This temporary pause, however, does not affect the ongoing rollout of ITMS infrastructure.
Security at the Core
The ITMS, overseen by the Ministry of Works in collaboration with security agencies, features digital number plates equipped with GPS tracking, Bluetooth beacons, and anti-tampering technology. Any attempt to remove or alter the plates triggers an immediate alert to a centralized command center.
“Once fully operational, the system will allow law enforcement to track which vehicles were at a specific location during incidents of crime. It’s a proactive tool for crime prevention and response,” Muhwezi added, noting that the system had already led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Mukono.
Museveni: “It’s Not About Fines”
President Yoweri Museveni echoed the minister’s sentiments during Thursday’s national budget address, underscoring that the true value of the ITMS lies in security and traceability and not financial penalties.
“These removable number plates are useless in the fight against crime. We need digital,
