Government has guaranteed the impossibility of replicating the registration plates, thanks to the thorough security protocols they undergo. Winston Katushabe, the Commissioner of Transport Regulation and Safety, during a press briefing on June 4, 2024 detailed the three complex system processes – the booking system, verification system, and stop control system.
These processes enable the input of individual information and the registration of the number plate, generating a unique serial number that is kept confidential by the ministry.”Since the serial numbers are a bit long, they will prove challenging to counterfeit,” remarked Katushabe.
Minister of Security Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi gave hope to the public by introducing a cutting-edge solution for crime tracking and the reduction of traffic offenses. He has explained that the digital registration plates will be equipped with a tracker, a sim chip, bluetooth beacons, and a snap lock for both the front and rear plates.
Additionally, the Minister of Works and Transport Gen. Katumba Wamala has emphasized that the vehicle tracking system is seamlessly integrated with the police’s CCTV cameras for monitoring flagged vehicles and those linked to criminal activities. “Tracking will be done on only those vehicles that will be flagged, not necessarily every vehicle” emphasized Katumba.
Katumba has advised vehicle owners against tampering with digital number plates, as this act will trigger an alert to the police upon removal. The issuing of new registration plates will cost Ugshs 714,300 for both vehicles and motorcycles, replacement will cost Ugshs 150,000 for the vehicles and Ugshs 50,000 for motocycles, and duplication will cost Ugshs 75,000.
The ownership of vehicles has risen to about 2,145,988 according to the Ministry of works and Transport therefore issuance of digital registration plates will start on November 1, 2024 starting with the motorcycles followed by other categories of vehicles ending on January 6, 2025.
