Uganda’s roads are entering a new era of safety and accountability as the government rolls out the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), a high-tech solution designed to crack down on reckless driving using artificial intelligence and automated enforcement. This ambitious digital transformation promises to reshape how traffic laws are enforced across the country, moving away from manual checks to a seamless, technology-driven approach.

The ITMS represents a major collaboration between Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport and Ministry of Security, implemented through a decade-long partnership with Russian technology firm Joint Stock Global. At its core, the system combines two groundbreaking innovations: GPS-enabled digital number plates and the EPS Auto enforcement platform. These technologies work together to monitor vehicles in real-time, automatically detecting and penalizing traffic violations without the need for physical police stops.

Azat Akmyradov, the ITMS project’s commercial and public relations manager, explains the system’s advantages: “By using AI and automated processes, we eliminate human bias and confrontation during traffic enforcement. Our cameras detect offenses like speeding or running red lights, match them to vehicles through digital plates, and process penalties automatically.” This approach not only increases efficiency but also removes opportunities for bribery that have long plagued manual traffic stops.

The urgency for such a system becomes clear when examining Uganda’s road safety crisis. Owen Muhumuza, lead trainer for ITMS, points to alarming police statistics showing most accidents result from speeding and driver negligence. “We’re losing lives daily to preventable crashes,” Muhumuza stresses. “ITMS introduces objective, consistent enforcement to change dangerous driving habits.”

Currently operational in eastern regions like Jinja and Malaba, the ITMS network is expanding nationwide. A high-tech command center in Kawempe serves as the system’s brain, analyzing data from roadside cameras and coordinating enforcement actions. During recent demonstrations at the Uganda Road Safety Conference in Munyonyo, officials showcased how the technology can track vehicles across different locations while automatically generating penalty notices for violations.

The digital number plates form a critical component of this ecosystem. Each plate contains embedded tracking technology that allows authorities to monitor a vehicle’s movements and speed in real-time. When paired with the growing network of surveillance cameras, this creates a comprehensive monitoring web that leaves little room for traffic offenders to escape detection.

While the system currently focuses on speeding and traffic light violations, its capabilities may expand to other offenses like illegal parking or wrong-way driving as implementation progresses. Authorities emphasize that ITMS isn’t merely about punishment—it’s designed to cultivate long-term behavioral change among drivers. By creating certainty of detection and penalty, the technology aims to make reckless driving a high-risk, low-reward choice.

The transition hasn’t been without challenges. Some motorists initially resisted the digital plates over privacy concerns, while others questioned the system’s accuracy. However, project leaders assure that robust safeguards prevent false penalties, with human reviewers verifying all automated violations before fines are issued. They also clarify that the tracking data serves strictly for traffic enforcement rather than general surveillance.

As Uganda continues deploying ITMS infrastructure, authorities urge all road users to embrace the change. Traffic police are receiving specialized training to work alongside the new system, transitioning from manual enforcement to managing the technology and handling exception cases. Meanwhile, public awareness campaigns educate drivers about the digital plates and automated enforcement procedures.

The potential benefits extend beyond safety. By reducing human involvement in traffic stops, ITMS could decrease corruption opportunities while freeing officers to focus on more complex duties. The data collected may also help urban planners identify dangerous intersections or road segments needing redesign. Over time, the system’s analytics could inform smarter traffic management policies nationwide.

International observers are watching Uganda’s experiment closely. If successful, ITMS could become a model for other developing nations struggling with road safety. The technology represents a significant investment in Uganda’s digital future, aligning with broader government efforts to modernize infrastructure through smart solutions.

For ordinary Ugandans, the changes will soon become visible on daily commutes. The familiar sight of traffic officers waving down speeding cars may gradually give way to discreet cameras monitoring traffic flow. Offenders might first learn of their violations through mobile notifications rather than police whistles. While this transition may feel jarring initially, proponents argue the long-term safety gains justify the shift.

As ITMS expands its reach, its true test will come in the accident statistics. If the system delivers on its promise, Uganda could see a steady decline in road fatalities over the coming years. For a country that loses too many lives to preventable crashes, this technological leap offers hope for safer journeys and more accountable road use. The message to drivers is clear: in Uganda’s new traffic era, the rules remain the same, but getting away with breaking them just got much harder.