HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I They can drive fast but not hide. This is the warning the Uganda Police Force has issued to motorists who have accumulated billions of shillings in unpaid traffic penalties, as authorities launch an aggressive nationwide operation to recover more than Shs8 billion held up in outstanding Express Penalty Scheme (EPS) fines.
The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has intensified roadside operations, digital surveillance and vehicle impoundments to track down motorists who have ignored traffic tickets, warning that parking vehicles to avoid payment will no longer provide an escape route.
The crackdown, which has already commenced, is expected to continue for some time as police move to recover the accumulated fines ahead of the festive season, when traffic volumes traditionally increase and road safety enforcement becomes more demanding.
On Friday, traffic police spokesperson Michael Kananura urged motorists with outstanding penalties to check their records and settle their obligations before encountering enforcement officers on the roads.
“Operations to recover unpaid EPS fines have commenced and will continue for some time as the Directorate rolls out additional operations to safeguard road users during the festive season,” Kananura said.
He particularly cautioned motorists who have deliberately parked their vehicles or kept them off the roads in an attempt to escape accumulated penalties.
“Hiding or parking your vehicle to evade payment is not a solution. Sooner or later you will return to the road and our operations will catch up with you,” he warned.
Police deploy digital surveillance
To recover the outstanding money, traffic police have stepped up operations using a combination of physical checkpoints and technology-driven enforcement.
Roadblocks have been established along major highways and in metropolitan areas, particularly Kampala, where officers are stopping vehicles and checking their registration details against outstanding EPS records.
Police are also relying on the country’s CCTV camera network and mobile tracking gadgets to identify vehicles and driving permits associated with unpaid penalties.
The technology enables enforcement officers to identify defaulting motorists without necessarily having to wait for them to commit another traffic offence.
Vehicles identified with outstanding fines can be intercepted and impounded, with some being towed to police facilities, including Kira Road and Central Police Stations.
The impounded vehicles are held until their owners clear the outstanding penalties, including applicable late-payment surcharges.
The strategy is intended to make it increasingly difficult for motorists to continue using public roads while ignoring penalties issued against them.
Motorists face additional charges
The Express Penalty Scheme is a digital traffic enforcement mechanism operated by the Uganda Police Force to monitor road violations and issue penalties to offending motorists.
Depending on the nature of the offence, fines generally range between Shs20,000 and Shs200,000. Speeding offences under harmonised rates attract a standard penalty of Shs160,000.
Motorists are ordinarily given 28 days to settle their tickets. Those who fail to pay within the stipulated period risk attracting a 50 per cent surcharge on the outstanding amount.
This means that motorists who delay payment could end up paying substantially more than the original penalty.
For police, recovering the more than Shs8 billion is not only about enforcing traffic discipline but also collecting non-tax revenue that has remained outstanding despite the issuance of digital penalties.
How motorists can avoid impoundment
Police have advised motorists to establish their penalty status before embarking on journeys, particularly during the busy festive season.
Drivers can check outstanding penalties through the Uganda Police Force’s MOBI App, SMS services or by visiting police traffic offices.
Payments can be initiated through designated EPS channels using a Payment Reference Number (PRN), including supported mobile money and banking platforms.
Motorists who discover penalties they believe were issued incorrectly can seek clarification and lodge complaints through the police traffic directorate.
The clarification process is particularly important given previous complaints surrounding automated camera tickets, disputed penalties and allegations that some motorists have been penalised for offences they did not commit.
Crackdown raises questions
Although the recovery operation is expected to improve compliance and strengthen road safety enforcement, the EPS has previously attracted public criticism over the accuracy and transparency of automated penalties.
Some motorists have questioned tickets generated by traffic cameras, particularly where they dispute having committed the recorded violations.
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