By David Mwanje
In a bid to modernize traffic enforcement and boost non-tax revenue, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Uganda Police Force (UPF) are tackling gaps in the Express Penalty System (EPS). Last Friday, Assistant Commissioner Rose Wangwe of URA’s Medium Tax Office met Assistant Inspector General of Police Lawrence Nuwabiine, Director of Traffic and Road Safety, at the UPF Command Centre in Nateete. Their mission: to harmonize EPS arrears and streamline a system plagued by inefficiencies.
Introduced in 2004 under the Traffic and Road Safety Act, the EPS allows on-the-spot fines for minor traffic violations like speeding or illegal parking, ranging from UGX 20,000 to UGX 200,000. These fines contribute to non-tax revenue (NTR), but manual ticketing via Police Book 26 led to issues like duplicated serial numbers, forgery, and delayed reporting. A 2021 report revealed UGX 48 billion in unpaid fines from 2007 to 2016, highlighting the system’s flaws.
The EPS Auto system, launched in June 2025 as part of the Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS), uses CCTV, sensors, and digital number plates to detect violations in real-time, reducing bribery and errors. However, inherited arrears from manual ticketing remain a challenge. “This new system eliminates duplication, forgery, and delays,” Wangwe said, noting its integration with the URA portal and UPF Mobi App for instant fine payments via mobile money or bank apps.
Nuwabiine highlighted the arrears caused by manual errors, proposing engagement with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to clear dues. Wangwe emphasized public awareness campaigns to boost compliance, stating, “Encouraging EPS compliance will clear arrears and enhance NTR, vital for government operations.” Motorists can check fines by texting “EPS [space] NUMBERPLATE” to 8888 or using the UPF Mobi App, though its Android-only access limits reach.
This partnership aligns with broader inter-agency efforts, like the March 2024 symposium where URA, UPF, and others tackled illicit financial flows. The 2023 UPF Crime Report noted 12,924 economic crime cases, underscoring the need for transparent systems. Despite controversies over EPS Auto’s foreign contractor, M/S Joint Stock Company Global Security, road safety advocates praise its potential to curb bribery, as reported by The Independent on July 28, 2025.
The URA-UPF collaboration signals Uganda’s push for tech-driven governance. By recovering billions in arrears and fostering compliance, the agencies aim to enhance road safety and public trust. “URA’s commitment extends beyond taxes,” Wangwe affirmed. “We’re building efficient government processes.” As campaigns roll out and MDAs clear dues, Uganda moves toward a transparent, accountable traffic enforcement system, urging motorists to embrace the change.
