Recently, the Ministry of Works and Transport, in partnership with the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System, re-emphasized the need for all road users to respect and observe the newly prescribed speed limits. Authorities argue that these measures are vital to reducing accidents and ensuring safety across Uganda’s roads.

The Electronic Penalty System (EPS Auto), featuring Automated Number Plate Recognition, EPS ticket penalties, is a tool that the government has put in place to ensure Ugandans respect traffic safety rules. The EPS ticket is characterized by 25 codes for traffic offenses, whose fines range from UGX 20,000 to UGX 600,000, depending on the offense. These penalties must be paid within 28 days, failure of which attracts a 50% surcharge, potential vehicle impoundment, denial of license renewal, and court charges will be ensured.

This raises an important public question: Will such heavy penalties reduce accidents or instead spark outrage, boycotts, and civil resistance among Ugandans?

According to the latest Uganda Police Annual Report, 44.5% of road accidents are caused by users disobeying traffic rules, and whereas the need to curb road accidents is crucial, the newly issued penalties are overboard and outrageous.

Instead of imposing steep fines, the government could adopt a more balanced approach, starting by reducing penalty fees to realistic amounts and investing in road safety infrastructure. This includes installing guardrails on highways and bridges, improving road signage and street lighting, sensitizing pedestrians and boda-boda riders on proper road usage, and equipping roads with blind spot monitors and speed feedback systems.

Because truthfully, speeding alone is not the sole cause of road accidents. Poor road conditions, inadequate lighting, unmarked intersections, and insecurity on highways also contribute significantly to road-related fatalities.

This leads to a rhetorical but necessary question: Should Ugandans start fining the government every time a pothole causes an accident or when robbers attack motorists on unlit highways? What about when deaths occur at poorly constructed sites like the Busabala Flyover?

Notably, most fatal accidents occur on roads in Fort Portal, Masaka, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Hoima, and Arua; yet, these areas are reportedly not covered by EPS enforcement. If the goal is road safety, does it make sense to exclude the most dangerous roads?

Public concern is also growing over the revenue-sharing model of the EPS program. According to a Parliamentary Works and Transport Committee report, 80% of collected fines go to the Russian firm Joint Stock Company Global Security (GS), with just 15% going to the Government of Uganda and 5% to the National Economic Council (NEC). This structure has left many citizens questioning whether the system is designed for public safety or simply to serve private profit.

As a concerned citizen, I have to ask, does this include boda-bodas, which are the biggest violators of traffic rules? Do these penalties include government cars? Aren’t the fees exorbitant? In case of a medical emergency, do I obey the speed limits or save a life? And lastly, why don’t email-issued tickets show the speed limit?

Personally, I recognize the importance of the Electronic Penalty System as a means to curb road accidents; however, it comes off as a rushed system that should be given more time and consideration.

Yes, Ugandans deserve safer roads but safety must go hand in hand with fairness and accountability.