The Government under the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) has officially launched the third phase of Digital Registration Number Plates for both public and private motor vehicles.
In a statement issued by the ministry on January 6, 2025, it revealed that the new registration system will be implemented at two major border points; Malaba and Mutukula Border Entry Points.
This initiative, it said targets vehicles entering Uganda for first-time registration.
“Vehicle owners will be required to pay a fee of UGX 714,300 to obtain their digital registration plates,” the statement read in part.
On January 2, 2024, the government issued a two-year ultimatum for motorists to migrate to digital number plates under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS).
The announcement was made by Susan Kataike, the principal communications officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, who detailed the phased rollout of the programme, which began in November 2023 with the installation of digital plates on government vehicles.
Under the initiative, vehicles that clear taxes at the entry points of Mombasa or Dar es Salaam will fall under Category One (Direct IM4 Regime).
The Direct IM4 Regime requires owners to have their digital registration plates fitted immediately after tax clearance.
The IM4 regime refers to a specific customs declaration process utilized for the immediate payment of taxes on imported goods.
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According to the ministry, Category Two (from the IM7 regime) applies to those importing vehicles into bonded warehouses and clearing taxes at a later stage.
However, once all taxes and assessments are cleared via the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) portal, clients should visit portal@itms-ug.com to book an appointment for the installation of their digital registration plates.
The IM7 Regime refers to a customs procedure known as a “customs warehouse” or “customs depot.” This regime allows goods to be stored in specific locations authorized by customs authorities without immediate payment of customs duties or taxes, such as VAT and excise duties.
The ministry urged all new vehicle importers to comply with the new system to facilitate a smooth transition into this modernized registration framework.
To date, 2,143 government vehicles have been fitted with the new plates.
In November 2024, the initiative expanded to include the registration of new motorcycles. So far, 11,721 private and public motorcycles have been equipped with digital number plates.
This phased rollout is part of a broader initiative under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), which aims to improve vehicle tracking, reduce vehicle-related crimes, and enhance overall road safety.
It acts as part of a strategic effort to enhance national security, curb vehicle-related crime, and modernize the vehicle registration process.
