A Finance Ministry Technical Advisor, Moses Bekabye, has reportedly been referred to Parliament’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) following questions over conflicting sworn testimony he allegedly gave during a parliamentary inquiry into Uganda’s digital number plate system.
Bekabye is said to have come under scrutiny after giving differing accounts concerning officials’ trips to China, Russia and India to benchmark prices for digital number plates.
The development reportedly emerged during Parliament’s ongoing examination of Uganda’s Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), a project that has attracted public and parliamentary attention over its cost, implementation delays and the involvement of a Russia-based contractor.
The parliamentary probe is examining how the digital number plate project was evaluated, including the process through which prices and technical specifications were benchmarked before the system was implemented.
Bekabye’s reported testimony regarding officials’ overseas trips has now become a key point of concern, with questions reportedly raised over inconsistencies in the evidence presented under oath.
The referral to the CID, if confirmed, could pave the way for investigators to examine whether the conflicting statements amounted to perjury or another offence.
However, a referral or investigation does not by itself establish wrongdoing, and any allegations against Bekabye would have to be tested through the appropriate investigative and legal processes.
Uganda’s digital number plate programme has faced questions over its cost, procurement process, implementation delays and the overall value of the system to motorists and the government.
The ITMS is intended to improve vehicle identification, monitoring and enforcement through technology, including digital number plates and related tracking infrastructure.
Government officials have defended the system, arguing that the technology is aimed at strengthening road safety, fighting vehicle-related crime and improving traffic management.
Parliament’s inquiry is now seeking to establish whether the project was properly planned, competitively priced and implemented in line with government procedures.
The latest reported development involving Bekabye adds another layer to the controversy, as lawmakers continue examining the decisions and processes that led to the adoption of the digital number plate system.
Editor’s note: The claims concerning Bekabye’s referral to CID and the alleged conflicting testimony should be independently confirmed with Parliament, CID or the relevant officials before being presented as established facts
