By Bosco Rukundo
The recent push for digital number plates in Uganda reeks of yet another government-backed scam, driven by a few selfish individuals who seem intent on exploiting the nation’s resources. As with many ill-conceived projects, the rollout of digital number plates has been mired in controversy, delays, and opacity. And just like the ill-fated regional vehicle inspection units that ended up costing Ugandan taxpayers billions, this scheme threatens to be yet another monumental waste of public funds.
What’s particularly disconcerting is that the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the very body expected to spearhead this initiative, seems clueless about the entire arrangement. Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, the Minister for Internal Affairs, revealed to Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure that he had no knowledge of the Russian company, Joint Stock Company Global Security, which is supposed to undertake the issuance of digital number plates. He also admitted that the police, who should have been the principal actors, were largely sidelined in the process.
This admission is troubling for two reasons: First, how is it possible that a multi-million dollar contract to overhaul Uganda’s entire number plate system could be signed without the knowledge of one of the country’s most senior government officials? Secondly, if the minister himself is unaware of key details, one can only imagine the level of disorganisation within the entire system. This chaotic approach to governance should make us question whether this initiative is genuinely about improving vehicle registration and monitoring or merely an avenue for a select few to profit at the expense of the Ugandan people.
A Flawed Project with a Suspicious Backstory
There is growing concern that Joint Stock Company Global Security—the firm supposedly tasked with manufacturing and supplying the digital plates—is a ghost entity with little to no capacity to deliver on its promises. A team sent to Russia by the Ministry of Internal Affairs came back with startling findings: there are no digital number plate manufacturing companies in Russia, and the service is only available in Poland. The recent release of a video by the supposed manufacturer, showing a small, shabby machine in a dingy factory, only serves to confirm the suspicion that the company does not have the necessary infrastructure to fulfil its obligations.
If they do have a factory, it is either still being hastily constructed or entirely incapable of meeting the country’s needs. Why then, would the government persist with such a questionable deal? The answer lies in the selfish motivations behind the scenes. Those pushing for the project stand to gain significant financial rewards from the contract, even as ordinary Ugandans are left to foot the bill.
An Outrageous Cost for Questionable Technology
One of the most egregious aspects of this scheme is the staggering price tag attached to the digital number plates. The technology that the Russians plan to introduce—a simple device that reportedly costs $2—is being sold to Uganda at an exorbitant $200 per unit. This markup is nothing short of scandalous. How is it possible that in a country where essential sectors like education and healthcare are crumbling due to underfunding, we are about to waste trillions of shillings on unnecessary car plates?
Uganda is not in dire need of replacing millions of vehicles’ number plates. There is no urgent security threat that this costly exercise would mitigate. Instead, our focus should be on addressing the real crises facing the country: poor healthcare, underfunded schools, and a youth unemployment rate that continues to rise. Yet, this digital number plate scheme pushes all these issues aside in favour of lining the pockets of a few well-connected individuals.
A Risk of Syphoning Money Out of the Country
If this contract is finalised, Uganda stands to lose not only trillions in direct costs but also future revenue streams. According to the deal, all fines collected through the use of the digital number plates will go directly to the Russian company. This arrangement essentially hands over a significant source of public revenue to a foreign entity, further draining the nation’s wealth. How can we allow such an exploitative arrangement to go through, especially when it is clear that Uganda will get little in return?
Lessons from the Past: The Vehicle Inspection Unit Failure
We have been down this road before. The regional vehicle inspection units were rolled out with much fanfare, promising to improve road safety and ensure that cars on Ugandan roads were up to standard. Instead, it became a scandalous waste of taxpayer money, with little to show for it in the end. This digital number plate scheme bears all the hallmarks of that failure—costly, ill-conceived, and ultimately designed to benefit a select few at the expense of the nation.
If we are to avoid another financial debacle, Ugandans must demand greater transparency and accountability from those behind this project. It is not enough for government officials to feign ignorance; they must take responsibility for the deals they are signing on behalf of the nation. Otherwise, we risk seeing yet another national asset siphoned off, leaving the country poorer and no better off than before.
Conclusion
The push for digital number plates in Uganda is a hoax designed to enrich a few at the expense of the many. It is a scheme built on lies, secrecy, and exploitation, and Ugandans must not stand for it. We cannot allow another situation like the vehicle inspection units to repeat itself. Our government must prioritise the needs of its people—fund education, fix the healthcare system, and tackle unemployment—rather than embarking on dubious ventures that serve no public good.
The writer is a concerned citizen who is keen on public accountability. He can be reached on Boscorukundo24@gmail.com
