As of June 2025, Uganda operates two parallel systems to enforce road traffic laws, the old Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) and the new, automated Express Penalty System (EPSAuto).
What Is the EPS?
Established in 2004, EPS (Commonly known as Ekipapula) is a traffic enforcement mechanism designed for traffic police officers to fine drivers on the spot for minor offences like speeding, illegal parking, or driving without a seatbelt. These offences are listed in Section 165 of the Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998.
What Is EPSAuto? (Automatic EPS)
The newer automated Express Penalty System (EPSAuto), also known as the Electronic Penalty System, launched on 06 June 2025 as part of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), is an automated version of the old EPS system. The EPSAuto system automates traffic enforcement using CCTV cameras, monitoring sensors, digital number plates, and real-time data processing to detect and penalise traffic violations. No officer needs to be on the road. The system detects the violation and notifies you directly via email or SMS.
Unlike EPS, which operates manually or semi-digitally, EPSAuto aims to improve the efficiency of issuing penalty tickets. However, a 2023 parliamentary minority report highlights legal violations, financial concerns, and privacy risks associated with this Automatic EPS. These issues, along with inaccuracies in penalties, have sparked controversies, such as the #RejectEPSAutoUg campaign on X among Ugandan road users since its launch.
This article explains the EPS, EPSAuto, ITMS, payment methods, consequences of non-compliance, and critical unresolved issues that question the project’s legitimacy and its benefit to Ugandans.
Difference Between Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) and the Automated Express Penalty System (EPSAuto)
| Aspect | EPS (Since 2004) | EPSAuto System (Since June 2025) |
| Enforcement Method | Manual, by traffic police officers issuing tickets on the spot. | Automated, using CCTV, digital number plates, and real-time SMS alerts. |
| Offenses Covered | 25 minor offences (e.g., speeding, illegal parking, no seatbelt). | Primarily speeding and red-light violations, with expansion plans. |
| Fine Amounts | UGX 20,000–200,000, capped by 2004 regulations. | Higher fines (e.g., UGX 250,000 for speeding), conflicting with EPS caps. |
| Technology | Basic digital integration (SMS, UPF Mobi App, URA portal). | Advanced ITMS infrastructure (CCTV, trackers, automated ticketing). |
| Issuance Process | Physical tickets issued by officers, with manual entry. | Instant SMS-based fines triggered by automated detection. |
| Implementation Date | Established in 2004, with ongoing use. | Launched in June 2025 as part of ITMS. |
| Legal Basis | Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998, and 2004 regulations. | Part of ITMS, but fines conflict with the 2004 EPS regulations. |
| Delayed Payment | A 50% surcharge is applied to fines unpaid after 28 days. | “Pay your fine within 72 hours to avoid inconveniences and surcharges of 50% that will apply after” |
What EPS and EPSAuto have in Common.
Both aim to deter minor traffic violations such as speeding and red-light running, enhance road safety, and reduce court congestion by allowing fines to resolve offences without prosecution.
With some exceptions in the new system, both use the Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998.
Both require paying fines via the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) using mobile money (e.g., Airtel, MTN), banks, the URA portal, or POS terminals with a Payment Registration Number (PRN) and grant the right to contest the charge in a court trial
Both cover all vehicles with digital or old number plates.
Both systems link with URA for payment processing and Face Technologies to block driving permit renewals for unpaid fines.
Road Safety Goal: Both support Uganda’s commitment to the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030) to reduce accidents through stricter enforcement.
How to Check for EPS Tickets (Fines)
Motorists can check EPS tickets from both systems by sending an SMS with “EPS [space] NUMBERPLATE” to 8888 (costs UGX 220), using the UPF Mobi App, though only compatible with old Android version devices, visiting traffic police offices like Nateete, or through the URA website and registered email.
Who Runs EPSAuto?
The ITMS, which includes the EPSAuto system, was contracted to a Russian company, M/S Joint Stock Company Global Security, on July 23, 2021. This deal was done through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Government of Uganda, the Ministry of Security, and the Ministry of Works and Transport. Despite addressing historical issues (such as UGX 48 billion in unpaid traffic violation fines from 2007–2016), the ITMS’s implementation raises significant concerns.
Legal Compliance Failures with the ITMS Deal.
No Due Diligence.
The contractor didn’t prove financial or technical capacity, as required by the 26(4)(c) of the PPP Act, 2015.
The Company Wasn’t Initially Registered.
The company was registered in Uganda on March 21, 2023, nearly two years after the July 23, 2021, agreement, violating Section 252(1) of the Companies Act, 2012, which requires registration within 30 days of establishing a business.
No open bidding.
This was a single-sourced deal; no other companies were given a chance, further breaching Section 33 of the PPP Act, which demands transparency and equal terms.
No feasibility study.
Section 22 of the PPP Act requires a feasibility study to justify the project’s viability, but none was provided, rendering the contract legally questionable.
Privacy Concerns.
This ITMS’s digital number plate and EPSAuto system track your vehicle’s movements and behavioural data in real-time. Article 27(2) of the Ugandan Constitution protects against interference with personal privacy.
Who Gets the Money?
Out of every UGX 100,000 fine:
UGX 80,000 (80%) goes to the foreign contractor
UGX 15,000 (15%) goes to the Government of Uganda
UGX 5,000 (5%) goes to NEC
This breakdown is supported by the 2023 parliamentary minority report and URSB certificates that surfaced on X during the #RejectEPSAutoUg campaign.
A Big Deal?
The system is expected to raise close to USD 1 billion in 10 years. But most of that is projected to come from traffic fines, except that most Ugandan roads don’t even have clear signs, speed bumps, or working lights.
Question: Should the government rely on traffic violations as another primary income stream when most roads lack the infrastructure to enforce them?
For Uganda’s road users, this new system calls for vigilance on the road. Stay proactive by regularly checking your EPS tickets, paying on time to avoid surcharges, retaining your receipts for verification, and staying updated on traffic regulations.
If you find this content helpful, please consider joining our WhatsApp channel for more.
