Russian firm says it can install 1,500 digital plates daily as global shipping disruptions delay supplies

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The company implementing Uganda’s digital number plate programme says it has the staff and equipment to accelerate installations, after the government pressed it to address shortages and delays.

Damir Makhmutov, project manager for the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System at Joint Stock Company Global Security, acknowledged at a parliamentary committee meeting on Monday that the government had written to the company over the delays. He attributed some of the disruption to wars affecting the movement of consignments.

“We have the technical capability. We have enough staff to perform 1,500 installations per day,” Makhmutov said.

“But for example, as of the 23rd of September, we have done 1,307 installations,” he added.

His response comes as conflicts disrupt major international shipping routes.

UN Trade and Development says vessels diverted from the Red Sea and Suez Canal around the Cape of Good Hope face longer journeys, less reliable schedules and higher operating costs.

Those pressures can affect imported supplies, although the committee has yet to establish which shipments of digital plate materials were delayed or for how long.

Makhmutov’s account offered the committee an explanation for part of the backlog and a measure of the company’s installation capacity.

MPs said they will examine whether the improved capacity was translating into timely service for motorists.

At the hearing, Uganda Manufacturers Association board chairperson Richard Mubiru urged Parliament to review the firm’s exclusive role under its 10-year agreement with the government.

Committee chairperson Mwine Mpaka said MPs would seek answers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs on whether the system’s security features were working as intended and justified the cost.

“We have to establish whether it is working to justify this cost,” Mpaka said.

Luke Owoyesigyire, Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, recently urged the public to report stolen vehicles and motorcycles promptly and provide proof of ownership to support investigations.

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke also similarly urged victims to report thefts without delay.

“When people report in time, it enables police to respond to scenes of crime quickly, increasing the likelihood of finding and apprehending suspects and averting offences,” he said at a recent press conference.

“That speed of response also enhances tools such as the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System, which uses tracking technology to support interception and recovery of stolen vehicles.”

The committee is expected to conclude its inquiry and report its findings to Parliament.