Moses Kazibwe, who says he was among the first people to propose a technological solution to Uganda’s traffic and vehicle security challenges, has questioned the government’s handling of the digital number plates project, accusing officials of favouring individuals with connections to power while frustrating alternative proposals.
Kazibwe argues that one of the biggest challenges facing innovators seeking government contracts is the perceived need to establish personal relationships with influential government officials before their proposals can be considered.
He claims that securing a government contract is sometimes less about the quality of an idea and more about whether the person presenting it has the right connections within government.
He further questioned the monitoring of government projects, alleging that several initiatives are implemented without President Yoweri Museveni receiving accurate information about their progress.
According to Kazibwe, the President largely relies on reports presented by officials instead of conducting independent follow-ups to establish whether government projects are delivering the intended results.
He suggested that some officials surrounding Museveni could be contributing to the failure of government programmes by presenting misleading information or withholding details that would otherwise expose implementation challenges.
Kazibwe made the remarks while discussing the controversy surrounding the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), commonly known as the digital number plates project.
He questioned the technology initially presented to the President, arguing that the proposed system concentrated on tracking vehicles through an installed chip rather than directly identifying the individuals involved in stealing them.
His concern is that tracking a stolen vehicle alone does not necessarily establish who stole it or address all the security gaps associated with vehicle theft.
The debate has also brought renewed attention to the findings of Parliament’s 11th Parliament investigation into the project, particularly concerns surrounding the Russian contractor, Joint Stock Company Global Security (JSCGS).
The parliamentary investigation reportedly questioned the existence and credibility of the company, with legislators raising concerns about its capacity to deliver the technology it had contracted to implement.
The project has also attracted scrutiny over its increasing contract value, technical capabilities and financial arrangements, with legislators questioning whether the benefits justify the costs being imposed on motorists.
The government entered into an agreement with JSCGS in 2021 to implement the ITMS following Museveni’s 2018 directive to strengthen vehicle identification and tracking after a series of high-profile assassinations, including the killing of Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga.
Motorists currently pay Shs714,300 for a digital number plate kit for newly registered vehicles and motorcycles, while replacing conventional plates costs Shs150,000 for vehicles and Shs50,000 for motorcycles.
Despite the growing concerns, the government has defended the project, with Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President Yunus Kakande revealing that Museveni had cautioned legislators against producing inaccurate reports without adequately engaging the technical teams implementing the system.
Kakande disclosed the President’s warning following a State House meeting last Thursday, during which legislators raised concerns about the project’s rising costs, technical capabilities and contractual arrangements with JSCGS.
The meeting came amid revelations that the project’s estimated contract value had increased, raising questions about additional financial obligations and whether the technology was delivering its intended security benefits.
Speaking to journalists, Kakande said Museveni recognised Parliament’s oversight role but wanted legislators to engage government officials and technical experts before making conclusions about the system’s performance.
“But the President advised them that if the project is for security, they should not just come up with reports which are not correct,” Kakande said.
“Did they sit with us and we agree and talk and negotiate and agree with them? So there was no such thing as saying that the system is not working. And the MPs also accepted this.”
The parliamentary investigation is being conducted by the Physical Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Mbarara City South MP Mwine Mpaka, which has examined allegations of shortcomings in the vehicle-tracking technology.
During parliamentary proceedings, former Works Minister Gen Katumba Wamala defended the project as an important security intervention, while former Internal Affairs Minister Gen Kahinda Otafiire questioned its effectiveness.
Kakande also dismissed suggestions that Museveni had been deceived into approving the Russian-backed technology.
“The President never said such a statement. It was not there. Actually, he elaborated to various members of parliament that this gentleman is from Russia. He came and approached him,” Kakande said.
He explained that the Russian contractor had initially approached Museveni and demonstrated technology and software that could help security agencies track vehicles and apprehend criminals.
“He showed him the technology which he has; the software which he has, which can be used to apprehend criminals. And that’s how he started. Originally, it was a security programme, for cars: to get criminals,” Kakande added.
While insisting that the technology is operational, Kakande acknowledged that some components require improvement, particularly software upgrades.
He maintained that the system can retrieve the location of vehicles anywhere in the country.
“We resolved with this machine; the system is working so well. It can retrieve any vehicle anywhere in the country,” he said.
“The primary objective was security. And the system is working well.”
However, he revealed that government was reviewing the project’s financial model, particularly the proposed revenue-sharing arrangement between the Russian contractor and Uganda.
“We are already now trying to refine the financial model to say, if we start issuing the final issuance system, how is it going to work, and how much will the provider and the Uganda government get, and then we move,” he explained.
Kakande further disclosed that Museveni had directed the formation of three teams comprising representatives of the Russian company, government technical officials and parliamentarians to address outstanding concerns.
The teams are expected to engage on the project’s implementation, technical requirements and financial arrangements before agreeing on the way forward.
“What we need is to upgrade certain software here and there,” Kakande said.
He confirmed that another meeting involving the Russian contractors, government officials and legislators had been called to discuss the outstanding issues.
“Yes, he has called for a meeting very soon. We shall meet with the Russians, with the officers who are implementing it and the members of parliament who are taking the role of oversight,” he said.
The competing positions have left the digital number plates project facing questions beyond its technological capabilities.
While government maintains that the system is operational and necessary for national security, legislators and critics continue to question the contractor’s credibility, the increasing project costs and whether the technology adequately addresses vehicle theft.
Kazibwe’s criticism also raises a broader concern about how government evaluates proposals, awards contracts and monitors projects after presidential approval.
With Parliament preparing its findings, attention is now turning to whether the government will address the concerns raised by legislators and provide clear answers about the project’s financial obligations, technical performance and the credibility of the company implementing it.
The central question remains whether a project introduced in the name of national security is delivering value to Ugandans or whether important gaps in its planning, procurement and implementation were overlooked.
