Only days after its launch on June 8, 2025, the Government of Uganda has temporarily suspended the automated Express Penalty System (EPS Auto). This halt, effective midnight June 11, 2025, follows public backlash over incorrect fines, confusion centred on the enforcement process, and concerns about legal compliance.
Introduced to automate traffic enforcement through automatic number plate recognition, the Automated EPS aimed to detect violations and issue penalties without direct human involvement. However, from the start, the system drove a wedge between itself and the road users it was meant to regulate.
Motorists reported fines for unclear offences, while others pointed to glitches and questioned the system’s fairness; inflated charges, short payment windows, and poor public awareness deepened the confusion, pushing some drivers off the main roads.
Government Response
In a statement posted on X, the government of Uganda confirmed the temporary suspension to allow for a comprehensive review of the system’s performance and procedures.
“𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐏𝐒 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 The implementation of the automated Express Penalty System (EPS Auto) will be temporarily suspended, effective midnight tonight, to facilitate a comprehensive review of its performance and operational procedures. The Hon. Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, will deliver an official statement tomorrow detailing the way forward. We urge all motorists to continue driving responsibly and to strictly adhere to traffic regulations during this period.-via @MoWT_Uganda”
𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐏𝐒 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖
The implementation of the automated Express Penalty System (EPS Auto) will be temporarily suspended, effective midnight tonight, to facilitate a… pic.twitter.com/8UWFthCr7b
— Government of Uganda (@GovUganda) June 11, 2025
What does this mean for Motorists?
Relief, though temporary. While the EPSAuto system is paused, traditional enforcement remains in place, with traffic officers manually issuing penalty tickets. The government has urged drivers to continue following traffic laws during this period.
What’s Next for the EPSAuto?
Technical upgrades are possible, but for now, expect political debates and legal scrutiny.
More clarity is expected after the Minister’s upcoming address.
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For more on this, read: Uganda Traffic Fines 2025 – What Are EPS and EPSAuto Systems?
1 thought on “Uganda Suspends EPS Auto Traffic Fine System for Review”
🤣🤣🤣 not even a week has passed. To be honest though, these things need a test run before public rollout. By the time the system was deployed, minor issues like the glitches and incorrect fines should have been noticed and fixed long before.