Digital Number Plates Now Available Within Two Days: Commissioner Assures MPs

Winston Katushabe, the Commissioner for Transport Regulation and Safety at the Ministry of Works and Transport, has informed Members of Parliament that the once lengthy wait times for digital number plates have drastically reduced. Appearing before Parliament’s physical infrastructure committee, Katushabe presented evidence of substantial improvements in the issuance and fitment process.

Previously, the committee, chaired by Mwine Mpaka, had raised concerns about backlogs and delays affecting vehicle owners and dealers. These concerns prompted an intervention by the Minister of Works and Transport earlier in the year.

Katushabe highlighted that the average time to fit digital registration plates at Kampala vehicle bonds has plummeted from 19 days in December 2025 to just two days by September 2026. For vehicles entering Uganda via the Malaba and Mutukula border posts, the plates are now fitted in approximately three hours.

The efficiency gains are evident in completion rates. In July, only 33% of cases were finalized within two days, with an average registration time of six days. By September, this figure had dramatically improved, with 72% of cases completed within two days, bringing the average registration and fitment time down to just two days.

Beyond logistical improvements, the ministry also reported significant revenue increases. In the first financial year of the digital number plate system, tax collections rose by 17%, contributing to an overall 16.4% increase in government revenue.

Furthermore, the system is proving its value in security. Police reports shared with the committee demonstrated how the digital tracing capabilities have aided investigations into stolen motorcycles and helped recover stolen property, underscoring the program’s broader impact.

Source: https://observer.ug/news/digital-number-plates-can-now-be-acquired-in-two-days-commissioner