Uganda’s Minister of Water and Environment, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, has criticised the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), saying concerns about its design, procurement and effectiveness were raised before implementation but were not adequately addressed.
Otafiire made the remarks on October 13, 2026, while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Physical Infrastructure, which is investigating the digital number plates project.
He said warnings had come from police detectives, experts at Makerere University and contacts in Kenya, where similar systems had reportedly encountered problems.
Otafiire also questioned the compatibility of some of the technology used in the project, citing concerns involving Chinese CCTV cameras and Russian chips.
He argued that the system appeared to function more like a basic fleet-management tracking tool than a comprehensive security solution, claiming that services such as Uber offered better tracking capabilities.
The minister further questioned the extent to which police had been involved in the procurement process and whether the project justified the public expenditure involved.
The committee is examining the project’s costs, procurement arrangements and value for money, including reports that individual digital number plates cost approximately Shs714,300 and concerns surrounding a multi-year contract with a Russian firm.
During his appearance, Otafiire emphasised that his responsibility was to serve Ugandans rather than personal interests. He said he would rather leave public office and tend to his goats than remain in a position where his competence was not wanted.
His remarks came as the parliamentary inquiry examined questions surrounding the project’s planning, including concerns about feasibility studies and the procurement process.
Former Works and Transport Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala offered a contrasting defence of the system, emphasising its intended security purpose.
The committee’s findings could help clarify the decisions behind the project, the warnings raised before its implementation and whether the system has delivered value for public money.
