The Parliamentary Committee on Defence, led by Donozio Kahonda, MP Ruhinda South, has urged the government to expedite the issuance of digital number plates to help reduce crime rates in Uganda.

Kahonda made these remarks on September 20, 2024, during an interview at parliament, where he believed that these computerized plates, which were launched in November 2023, will aid in identifying and tracking vehicles involved in criminal activities.

“These digital number plates are part of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) project, which aims to enhance vehicle identification and combat vehicle-related crimes such as theft and carjacking,” Kahonda stated.

He also emphasized that the digital number plates are embedded with Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) chips and QR codes that make it difficult for criminals to forged them, hence real-time tracking of vehicles, which can deter criminal activities and facilitate the recovery of stolen vehicles.

Kahonda’s remarks align with broader government objectives to improve security through technological advancements, where a long-term agreement with a Russian tech company was signed to implement this system across all vehicles in Uganda.

The initiative is seen as a crucial step toward modernizing the country’s vehicle registration process and enhancing public safety.