EPS Reforms: Uganda Slashes Traffic Fines and Eases Payment Rules”

[Eronda]

The government is set to overhaul Uganda’s Electronic Penalty System (EPS) after stakeholders endorsed a raft of reforms, including slashing speeding fines to a flat Shs160,000, extending the payment period from 72 hours to 28 days, and revising controversial speed limits.

The proposals were validated during a National Validation Workshop convened by the Ministry of Works and Transport, bringing together representatives from government agencies, traffic police, transport operators, civil society, local governments, academia, and road user groups.

In a statement issued on Tuesday after the meeting, the ministry said stakeholders had endorsed reforms aimed at improving road safety while addressing concerns raised by motorists and transport operators.

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“Following extensive consultations across the country, stakeholders convened to validate proposed reforms intended to strengthen road safety while improving public confidence in the EPS,” the ministry said

Among the key recommendations was limiting the 30km/h speed limit to sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, places of worship, markets, and community access roads.

Stakeholders also backed a 50km/h speed limit for urban roads and built-up areas, while speed limits on national highways and expressways will be reviewed based on scientific studies.

The workshop further approved the harmonisation of speeding penalties by replacing the current fines of Shs200,000 for speeding and Shs600,000 for excessive speeding with a uniform Shs160,000 penalty.

The reforms come amid growing concern over road safety. According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025, the country recorded 26,044 road crashes in 2025, up from 25,107 in 2024, while fatal crashes increased from 4,434 to 4,602.

Other proposals include strengthening road signage, enhancing public awareness campaigns, and improving protections for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and boda boda riders.

The Ministry of Works said the review reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive policymaking and broad stakeholder participation.

“The validated proposals will now inform the preparation of a Cabinet Paper for Government consideration of the proposed reforms,” the ministry said.

If approved by Cabinet, the changes would mark the most significant reform of Uganda’s automated traffic enforcement regime since the rollout of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), which uses CCTV cameras and automatic number plate recognition technology to detect traffic offences.
Source: Chimp reports