The AutoEPS Traffic System began as a high-tech solution to improve traffic enforcement in Kampala. However, just days after its pilot phase, drivers and experts raised serious concerns about its implementation.
Uganda’s government introduced the AutoEPS Traffic System as part of its Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS). The goal was to reduce road violations by using surveillance, data analytics, and automated fines. While this system promised to enhance road safety in Kampala, it now draws criticism for poor planning and unfair enforcement.
Authorities abruptly lowered speed limits in urban areas from 50km/hr to 30km/hr. Drivers say they received no proper warning, and traffic signs remain either unclear or completely missing. These changes, combined with steep fines, have frustrated many motorists. Instead of promoting safety, the system feels like a tool for extracting revenue.
The government hired Joint Stock Company Global Security, a Russian firm, to manage the AutoEPS project. This company has a history of financial instability and questionable connections. Reports show that it faced bankruptcy proceedings in Moscow. Observers also claim that brokers with political ties introduced the firm through backdoor channels. The public has demanded transparency on how authorities awarded the contract and structured the revenue-sharing deal.
Sources inside the project say that the AutoEPS Traffic System still operates partially on manual processes. It hasn’t fully integrated with Uganda Revenue Authority’s vehicle database. As a result, officers manually issue many tickets, especially for vehicles with old number plates. This practice allows police to excuse certain drivers, especially government officials or politically connected individuals.
Drivers also report inconsistent enforcement. In some cases, traffic police order drivers to ignore traffic lights. Cameras then record these same vehicles and trigger fines. Since the system and the officers aren’t coordinated, the public suffers the consequences of this confusion.
Insiders reveal that the project’s real motive may be financial. With the ITMS project struggling, officials see AutoEPS as a quick way to raise funds. Ministry of Works officials cite alarming road crash statistics to justify the system. Between 2014 and 2024, road fatalities rose from 2,845 to more than 5,000. In 2022 alone, over 4,500 people died due to road accidents. Speeding and reckless overtaking caused most of these crashes.
Even though these numbers are serious, critics argue that safety improvements must follow community engagement and infrastructure development. The government failed to involve the public before launching the system. Roads remain poorly designed, signage is inadequate, and coordination among agencies is weak.
A 2025 report by Makerere University’s Urban Action Lab highlighted several urban challenges in Kampala. It pointed to a lack of cooperation between Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the central government. The report also exposed widespread public mistrust, chaotic road planning, and political interference in transportation decisions. These factors severely limit the effectiveness of systems like AutoEPS.
The issue of boda bodas, or motorcycle taxis, further complicates matters. Despite their involvement in many crashes, the government has done little to regulate them. Experts say this is partly because many powerful people own these businesses and block enforcement efforts.
Citizens want fair policies, not quick-fix solutions. If Uganda wants to improve road safety, authorities must ensure that the rules apply to all drivers equally—whether they drive boda bodas or luxury SUVs. The government should review foreign contracts through public channels and upgrade roads and traffic systems before enforcing digital penalties.
The AutoEPS Traffic System could help improve road safety, but only if officials fix its many flaws. Without fairness, transparency, and proper infrastructure, the system risks becoming another broken promise—punitive rather than protective.
