Authorities are warning drivers to closely follow traffic laws in order to avoid fines under the Electronic Penalty System (EPSAuto), a camera-enabled traffic enforcement tool that is now fully operational throughout Uganda.
This week, the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, and the Ministry of Works and Transport oversaw the launch of the system, which automatically records speeding and red light infractions.
According to ITMS Public Relations Officer Priscah Pearl Ayesiga, the round-the-clock system is intended to prevent careless driving and save lives.
“EPSAuto is now operational as a component of the ITMS. We implore all motorcyclists and drivers to put safety first and abide by the law,” she stated. Vehicles on emergency duty are the only ones exempt. Red light and speeding violations will result in penalties for everyone else.
“To protect vulnerable road users, the system specifically enforces a 30 km/h speed limit around schools, markets, and other high-risk areas,” she added.
“Compliance is a safeguard for everyone, not just a requirement. We save lives and prevent fines by following traffic laws,” Ayesiga stated.
According to Allan Ssempebwa, Senior Communications Officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, EPSAuto’s current focus is only on speeding and red light infractions; traffic officers will still enforce other infractions by hand.
“Violators will be identified instantly.” After being flagged, the system automatically creates a ticket and sends it to the offender’s cell phone, triggering an alert at the Uganda Police control center,” he explained.
Additionally, he explained that the system covers both older and digital license plates.
According to Ssempebwa, “EPSAuto fines all vehicle owners regardless of the type of number plate. We will communicate when the system expands.”
Given that speeding is still one of the main causes of traffic fatalities in Uganda, authorities are urging the public to drive carefully. The 2024 Police Annual Crime Report states that speeding was a contributing factor in 44.5% of collisions. Last year, there were 25,107 traffic accidents nationwide, resulting in 5,144 fatalities.
