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Works and Transport Minister Edward Katumba-Wamala acknowledged several flaws in the implementation of the Automated Express Penalty System (EPS).
Following numerous complaints from the public and stakeholders, the Minister yesterday announced a one-month suspension of the scheme to address the concerns raised and rectify the identified issues.
Key Concerns Raised by the Public
Minister Katumba, in a statement, outlined six key concerns that had emerged following the implementation of the EPS Auto module under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System.
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The Ministry, he said, had engaged with public transporters, including the Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators (UTOF), truck drivers, and the Airport Taxi Drivers Association to discuss these issues.
One of the major concerns raised was the possibility of errors in the system’s synchronisation, particularly with the data from the Uganda Police Force.
Stakeholders pointed out that this led to duplicated fines and the occasional interchanging of offences. These errors have caused confusion and frustration among road users who feel unfairly penalised.
Another concern was the need for further sensitisation and engagement with the public and road users.
Many individuals did not fully understand the regulations or the automated nature of the EPS, which led to widespread dissatisfaction with the implementation process.
Public Complaints on Fines and Speed Limits
The Ministry also acknowledged complaints about the severity of the fines for speeding, which many considered too harsh, particularly when the 72-hour payment window was seen as too short for most road users to process payments.
Public transport operators, in particular, expressed concerns about the pressure this placed on drivers.
Furthermore, the scope of the 30KPH speed limit within urban areas was described as too broad.
Stakeholders argued that the speed limit should be restricted to specific zones, such as school zones, market zones, hospital zones, and church zones, rather than being applied universally across all urban areas.
In light of these concerns, the Ministry of Works and Transport decided to suspend the implementation of the EPS Auto by one month, from June 12 to July 12, 2025.
This temporary suspension will allow the Ministry and other stakeholders to address the issues raised and ensure that the system operates more efficiently and fairly.
The government will also take this time to review the regulations, verify any fines that have been issued, and provide the necessary sensitisation to the public regarding the EPS Auto.