Kampala, Uganda: The Ministry of Works and Transport has confirmed that the controversial Automated Express Penalty System (Auto EPS) will stay suspended for at least one month to allow for a comprehensive review of the system’s flaws, following a public outcry over wrongful traffic fines, harsh penalties, and poor implementation.
In a public statement issued on Wednesday, June 12, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, said the decision was reached after an emergency meeting with key public transport stakeholders, including the Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators (UTOF), truck drivers, and the Airport Taxi Drivers Association.
“The Ministry has found it necessary to immediately suspend the implementation of the EPS Auto to enable the implementing agencies to address all the gaps in the regulation and the system,” said Gen. Katumba-Wamala.
Among the major concerns raised were system errors leading to duplicated and unwarranted traffic fines, insufficient public sensitization on the new regulations, and disproportionately harsh penalties, especially the three-day (72-hour) payment window for fines.
Stakeholders also decried the blanket implementation of the 30km/h speed limit across all urban roads, arguing it should only apply to designated special zones such as schools, markets, hospitals, and church areas.
The absence of visible speed limit signs and poor alignment between installed speed cameras and actual speed zones, particularly along the Nkumba–Katabi stretch on Entebbe Road, were also flagged.
“In consideration of the gaps and public concerns mentioned, the Ministry has found it necessary to suspend the implementation of the EPS Auto for one month, from June 12 to July 12, 2025, to allow time for corrections and stakeholder engagement,” the Minister announced.
He commended the public and transport operators for maintaining calm and choosing dialogue over protest, calling it “the right way to resolve differences.”
During the suspension period, Gen Katumba says the government will verify issued penalties, review existing regulations and fines, and engage further with stakeholders to ensure clarity and fairness in the implementation of the EPS Auto system under the Traffic and Road Safety (Speed Limit Regulations), 2025.
The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to improving public road safety and urged all motorists to remain compliant with traffic laws during the review process.
PUBLIC STATEMENT ON SUSPENSION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AUTOMATED EXPRESS PENALTY SYSTEM
12th June 2025
The Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Police Force has been implementing the Traffic and Road Safety (Prescription of Speed Limits Regulations), 2025 through the EPS Auto module under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System.
The Ministry has registered a number of complaints and concerns from the general public in the implementation of the regulations. Yesterday, the Ministry held an engagement with public transporters including the Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators (UTOF), representatives of truck drivers and the Airport Taxi Drivers Association. The following key concerns which had also been echoed by the general public were raised in the meeting:
That a number of errors could have been made in synchronizing the system with EPS data from the Police leading to duplicated and undeserved infringements.
Need for further sensitization and engagement with road users and stakeholders to appreciate the regulations and automation of the Express Penalty Scheme.
That the fines for speeding were too harsh and the 72 hours allocated for paying the fines was too short for people to effect the payment.
The scope of implementation of the 30KPH speed limit within the urban areas was too broad and needed to be restricted to only special zones: specified in the regulations, i.e. School Zones, Market Zones, Hospital Zones and Church Zones.
Lack of speed signs on some roads to guide the road users on the expected speed limits.
Need to align the speed cameras with the speed signs on the roads. The section from Nkumba to Katabi on Entebbe Rd was highlighted.
Firstly, I want to thank the general public for remaining calm. I also appreciate the civil approach by the public transporters including Taxi Operators, Truck Drivers, Airport Taxi Drivers and others in seeking dialogue with the Ministry to address their grievances instead of strikes and inciting violence. This is the right way to resolve differences.
In consideration of the gaps and public concerns mentioned above, the Ministry has found it necessary to immediately suspend the implementation of the automated express penalty scheme (EPS Auto) by one month from 12th June, 2025 to 12th July, 2025 to enable the implementing agencies to address all the gaps in the regulation and the EPS Auto.
Ministry of Works and Transport will lead the Government team and other Stakeholders to address the concerns of the public. In this time, Government will verify any concerns regarding the fines that were issued in the system, review the regulation and fines in line with the regulations and the EPS Auto. The Ministry will also continue to engage stakeholders to address the misgivings in the system.
In the meantime, I urge all road users to continue driving responsibly and observe traffic rules to ensure safety on our roads.
Gen. Edward Katumba-Wamala
MINISTER OF WORKS AND TRANSPORT
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
