7/7/2026
Motor vehicle and motorcycle dealers have called on the government to terminate its 10-year contract with Russian firm Joint Stock Company Global Security, citing alleged corruption and persistent failures in implementing the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS).
The ITMS was introduced to enhance vehicle tracking and security through the issuance of digital number plates. However, dealers say the project has instead disrupted business operations due to chronic shortages of digital number plates and delays at centralized fitting centres.
On Thursday, motorcycle dealers, motor vehicle dealers and bond operators marched to the ministry of Works and Transport to demand answers over what they described as a failed project that has crippled their businesses.
During a meeting with the state minister for Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, the traders complained about prolonged delays in receiving number plates despite having completed the registration process and paid the required fees.
Bwire Amanya, a motorcycle dealer based in Nakawa, said businesses have suffered since the digital number plate project was rolled out in 2024. According to Amanya, the contractor frequently runs out of stock, forcing some dealers to wait for up to five months after making payment.
I know of one motorcycle company with 20 containers carrying about 1,000 motorcycles that are being held at the bond because there are no number plates. This shows how seriously our businesses have been affected. Imagine paying for number plates and waiting more than three months without receiving them. The financial losses are enormous,” he said.
Each digital number plate for a new motorcycle costs Shs 714,300, meaning the company paid more than Shs 714 million for plates covering 1,000 motorcycles. However, the motorcycles remain at the bonded warehouse because the Uganda Revenue Authority cannot release them without registration plates.
Amanya argued that the contractor’s continued failure to supply digital number plates demonstrates its inability to fulfil its contractual obligations. Hajji Siraje Lutakome, a car bond operator, said traders have repeatedly engaged officials from the ministry of Works and Transport over the past two years, but little has changed.
