A growing public outcry has erupted over Uganda’s Express Penalty System (EPS) tickets, with motorists condemning the fines as excessively harsh and unrealistic.
The controversial system, designed to enforce traffic rules through automated cameras, has drawn sharp criticism for its exorbitant penalties and impractical speed limits, casting the government in a negative light.
Many Ugandans who have received EPS tickets argue that the fines are disproportionately high and accumulate too quickly, placing an unfair burden on ordinary citizens.
The Ministry of Works and Transport has faced intense scrutiny after Commissioner of Transport Regulation and Safety at the Ministry of Works Winstone Katushabe defended the 30km/h speed limit, stating it applies only near schools, hospitals, markets, and residential areas.
However, motorists dispute this, pointing out that major roads like the Lugogo Bypass and Bukoto-Kira Road stretch lack such facilities, yet still enforce the low limit.
Frustration has reached a boiling point, with activist Lawyer Nicholas Opio rallying drivers to deliberately drive at 30km/h around Parliament to demonstrate the policy’s absurdity.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have seized on the issue, accusing the government of exploiting citizens for revenue. The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has formally written to the Works Minister demanding answers over EPS implementation.
An online protest under the hashtag #RejectEPSAutoUg is gaining momentum, with critics calling the system a “heist” rather than a genuine road safety measure. Critics argue that the 30km/h limit on dual carriageways like Yusuf Lule Road is deliberately set low to maximize fines, not reduce accidents.
More damning allegations have emerged, with activists Ferdinandius and Blanshe Musinguzi claiming the EPS is part of a financial model benefiting a private company, Joint Stock GLOBAL Security, which reportedly takes 80% of the fines—estimated at $510 million over 10 years—while the government receives only 20%.
As tensions rise, Ugandans are demanding an immediate review of the EPS, with calls for transparency and fairness growing louder. Whether the government will heed these concerns remains uncertain, but for now, the backlash shows no signs of slowing down.