On Monday, January 6, Uganda began implementing the third phase of the Motor Vehicle Digital Registration Number Plates system, focusing on both private and public transport vehicles. This phase introduces significant changes, targeting vehicles entering the country for the first time and those already on Ugandan roads.
Vehicles have been divided into two categories. The first category includes new imports entering Uganda via Malaba and Mutukula border points for vehicles from Kenya and Tanzania, respectively. These vehicles will have their registration processed directly at the entry points. Owners of these imports will pay 714,300 shillings for the digital number plate, while replacing an existing plate with a new digital one costs 150,000 shillings. The vehicle must be registered in the owner's name to qualify for the migration. For motorcycles, the cost of a digital plate is 50,000 shillings.
The government has outlined two subcategories for new imports. The first, DIRECT IM4, applies to vehicles whose taxes are cleared directly at entry points, such as Mombasa in Kenya or Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Importers in this category will leave the entry point with vehicles already fitted with a digital number plate and accompanied by a logbook. They can then proceed to book the installation through the online system (portal@itms_ug.com) after tax clearance.
The second subcategory, IM7, includes vehicles cleared through bonded warehouses after importation. Once taxes and assessments on the Uganda Revenue Authority portal and Ministry of Works processes are finalized, clients can book for a digital number plate through the same portal. After confirmation, clients select their preferred time and location for plate fitting.
The government has contracted Joint Stock Company Global Security to implement the exercise. For inquiries, vehicle owners and importers can contact the contractor via 0200420000 or inquiries@mvr.go.ug.
The Ministry of Works and Transport has given current vehicle owners two years to migrate to the digital number plate system under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS). This initiative aims to enhance vehicle monitoring, improve road safety, and streamline transport systems across the country.
Susan Kataike, Principal Communications Officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, reported notable progress in earlier phases of the rollout. As of now, 2,143 government vehicles have been fitted with the new plates. The initiative was extended to motorcycles in November 2024, covering 11,721 units, including newly imported or locally assembled bikes.
The new plates, however, have sparked public criticism. Many complain that the new alphanumeric arrangement, such as UA 001AA for private cars and UMA 001AA for motorcycles, is harder to read and memorize compared to the old system (e.g., UAA 001A). Government vehicles now use "UG" followed by a two-digit ministry identifier and a five-digit vehicle number (e.g., UG 32 00042 for the Ministry of Health).
Despite these concerns, the government remains committed to full implementation, emphasizing the benefits of the new system for national security, vehicle tracking, and transport regulation.
