Ministry of Works Launches Nationwide Review of Express Penalty System

The Ministry of Works and Transport has launched a nationwide stakeholder consultation to review penalties under the Express Penalty System (EPS), aiming to enhance fairness, compliance, and road safety under the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS). The review follows widespread public backlash against the system’s initial rollout last year.

On Thursday, officials convened a stakeholder engagement in Jinja, bringing together drivers, boda boda riders, traffic police, and other road users to discuss penalty structures, regulatory reforms, and the effectiveness of the system.

Ministry Spokesperson Susan Kataike, representing Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya, clarified that previous speed limits had caused confusion. “Under the proposed changes, the speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour shall apply in urban centres, while safe zones such as schools, markets, and churches will maintain the 30Kph limit,” she said.

Kataike noted that the previous EPS setup made driving in urban areas cumbersome, as motorists were forced to observe 30Kph throughout Kampala, leading to delays, increased vehicle wear, and excessive fines.

The Ministry has also reduced penalties significantly. Offenders will now pay 10 currency points (Shs 200,000) within 28 days, down from Shs 600,000 payable within 72 hours. Multilayered fines for exceeding speed limits in safe zones previously inflated some penalties beyond Shs 600,000.

“Consultations will inform a Cabinet paper for the relaunch of a more inclusive and widely accepted EPS framework,” Kataike said.

Officials emphasized that the review is part of broader efforts to curb Uganda’s worsening road safety record. Road traffic accidents have risen by 80.8 percent over the past decade—from 2,845 cases in 2014 to 5,144 in 2024—with over-speeding cited as the leading cause.

Senior Licensing Officer Robert Kisakye highlighted the economic impact, noting that Uganda loses approximately Shs 4.5 trillion annually, about 1.2 percent of GDP, due to road crashes. The Ministry and Kampala Capital City Authority plan to intensify road signage installation and tackle vandalism to ensure motorists clearly understand and adhere to speed limits.

Stakeholders in Jinja suggested further fine reductions, including lowering the speeding penalty to Shs 100,000 for better affordability and enforceability. Jinja Resident City Commissioner Richard Gulume described the consultation process as timely and necessary, calling the previous fines “outrageous and unenforceable.”

The Ministry says the consultations are critical to developing a practical and effective penalty system that balances enforcement with fairness, paving the way for safer roads across the country.