KAMPALA | The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has written to the Minister of Works and Transport raising alarm over the growing public dissatisfaction with the Automated Electronic Penalty System (EPS) currently being enforced across Uganda.
In a letter dated 10th June 2025, Ssenyonyi cites a litany of complaints from motorists and road users, describing the EPS as “punitive and exploitative,” and calling for its immediate review.
He points to several key concerns, including the lack of adequate public awareness about how the system works, inconsistently enforced and poorly marked speed limits particularly along the Kampala Northern Bypass and increased vulnerability to roadside attacks due to enforced low speeds in insecure zones.
“…The slow speeds required in certain areas are exposing motorists to ambushes and attacks. Public safety cannot be compromised under the guise of road discipline…,” Ssenyonyi noted in his letter.
Other issues raised include technical errors in penalty issuance, excessive restrictions placed on motorists with unresolved tickets such as blocked license renewals or international travel and the contradiction between automated enforcement and manual traffic control by police during peak hours.
Ssenyonyi emphasized that while road safety is a shared national priority, it must be pursued in a manner that is transparent, fair, and considerate of the rights of citizens.
Due to the ongoing parliamentary recess, Ssenyonyi chose to address the matter in writing and has urged the ministry to engage stakeholders and revise the system accordingly.
He copied the letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Prime Minister, and the Director of the Uganda Police Traffic Directorate, signaling the urgency and national significance of the issue.
The Ministry of Works and Transport is yet to issue an official response.
