For years, Kampala’s roads have been synonymous with noise, confusion, and unpredictable traffic patterns. But for riders like 32-year-old Dathive Mukeshimana, who has spent the last seven years weaving through the city’s clogged streets to earn a living, something is beginning to change. The difference, she says, isn’t coming from new roads or stricter officers, it’s coming from the cameras silently watching above. As one of the few female riders in a profession dominated by men, Mukeshimana switched to boda boda riding after her small business collapsed. She started out with SafeBoda before joining the Twezimbe Women Association, a space where women riders share experiences, challenges, and safety tips. Over time, she has witnessed a slow but meaningful shift in how Kampala’s chaotic traffic is being managed, crediting much of it to the expanding Intelligent Transport Monitoring System.

To her, the ITMS is more than just tech jargon. It is an everyday influence shaping how she rides, how her colleagues behave, and how safe she feels on the road. The system, which works hand in hand with the Electronic Penalty System, uses smart cameras and automated tools to monitor traffic flow and record dangerous driving. Its growing presence has made riders more alert and more cautious than before. “In areas where cameras are installed, riders know they cannot misbehave,” Mukeshimana says with a laugh. “When you’re overtaking or crossing the road, you do it carefully because you know someone is watching — even if you can’t see them.”

That sense of accountability, she adds, has been particularly beneficial for women riders, who often face vulnerability on the road. She says the technology makes her feel safer, especially during late-evening rides when reckless motorists are more likely to appear. “Being a woman in this field isn’t easy,” she says. “But with ITMS on the roads, you feel like there’s some level of protection. Careless drivers think twice when they know cameras are recording.”

Beyond influencing behavior, the smart system has also become a powerful tool for law enforcement. According to police data, ITMS helped officers track and recover 32 stolen cars and 13 stolen motorcycles in 2025 alone — a notable improvement in a city that has long struggled with vehicle theft. Mukeshimana, who owns two motorcycles — one she rides herself and another operated by an employee — says this is one of the biggest advantages for boda boda operators. “If someone steals my motorcycle, I don’t panic the way riders used to,” she explains. “I can call the police and trust the system to help locate it. That peace of mind is everything.”

Her advice to fellow riders is simple: don’t be afraid to use the system. Too many boda operators, she says, still assume theft reporting is a waste of time. “If someone knocks your bike or steals it, report immediately,” she insists. “The system works, and they can track the boda or car from wherever it is.”

Mukeshimana believes that the future of Kampala’s transport sector depends on stronger collaboration between traffic police and the smart traffic system operators. She says the tools are powerful, but they only deliver their full potential when authorities coordinate effectively. “Traffic police should work closely with the ITMS providers,” she says. “It’s not only about riders — it’s about protecting pedestrians, passengers, and everyone using the road.”

To her, Kampala’s embrace of digital traffic management is long overdue. The city has expanded rapidly, and the number of vehicles and motorcycles has multiplied with it, leaving old methods of enforcement stretched thin. Smart systems, she argues, bring order to a place that desperately needs it. They curb reckless behavior, improve security, and give riders more confidence that they are not alone on the road.

For Mukeshimana, the story of Kampala’s smart traffic evolution is personal. It represents a shift from a time when boda boda riding felt like operating in the wild, to a future where the road is slowly but surely becoming safer and more predictable. She hopes the system continues to grow, covering more parts of the city and bringing a sense of responsibility to every rider.