Gov’t suspends automated express penalty fines

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Newsroom Editor
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The Ministry of Works and Transport has announced the suspension of the Express Penalty System following public outcry over the set speed limits.

“Effective midnight tonight, the implementation of the automated Express Penalty System [EPS Auto] will be temporarily suspended following a comprehensive review,” the ministry posted on X.

According to the post, Works and Transport Minister Gen Katumba Wamala will issue a detailed statement tomorrow outlining the way forward.

“In the meantime, we urge all road users to continue driving responsibly and observing traffic rules,” the post reads.

In the wake of the newly implemented Automated Electronic Penalty System (EPS) in Uganda, motorists took to social media to share clever tricks to beat the system.

The system implemented by the Ministry of Works and Transport, together with the Traffic Police and the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMs) has sparked a wave of outrage among motorists.

Since the system went live, it has issued fines for speeding, red-light violations, and other infractions detected by automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.

While the system is intended to enhance road safety, many drivers have criticised it as excessive, with fines issued for what they consider minor or unclear violations.

The suspension comes in the wake of a threat by taxi drivers to suspend operations by Monday.

The taxi drivers and operators  declared a nationwide strike starting Monday, June 16, 2025, should the government refuse to suspend the recently rolled-out Auto Express Penalty System (EPS), which they say is causing financial hardship due to heavy and unclear traffic fines.

The declaration followed a tense meeting on Wednesday at the Ministry of Works and Transport headquarters in Kampala, where taxi leaders stormed out after officials led by Commissioner Winston Katushabe said only Works Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala holds the power to suspend the EPS.

The drivers’ main concerns include what they described as excessively harsh fines and flawed enforcement mechanisms using automated traffic cameras. Since its rollout on June 1st, motorists across Uganda have decried the Auto EPS fines for minor infractions, including overspeeding, driving on stop lines, turning against road signs, and running red lights.

 

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