Katumba Wamala: No Feasibility Study Conducted on Digital Number Plates

[Eronda]

Former Works and Transport Minister Gen (Rtd) Katumba Wamala has disclosed that his ministry did not undertake a feasibility study before the implementation of Uganda's digital number plate project, revealing that the initiative was largely driven by a presidential requirement aimed at improving vehicle security and tracking.

Speaking before Members of Parliament, Gen Katumba explained that the concept of digital number plates emerged from a directive seeking a mechanism that could automatically alert authorities in the event of tampering or interference.

According to the former minister, the idea was intended to enhance security by enabling authorities to monitor vehicles through technology embedded within the registration plates.

“And that was how it came to be called digital number plates, that it would be able to trigger a signal,” Gen Katumba told lawmakers.

His remarks came amid ongoing parliamentary scrutiny of the highly debated digital number plate project, which has faced questions over procurement processes, implementation costs, effectiveness, and value for money.

The revelation that no feasibility study was conducted is likely to intensify debate around the project, as feasibility studies are typically used to assess the technical, financial, and operational viability of major government investments before implementation.

The digital number plate system was introduced as part of broader efforts to strengthen national security, combat vehicle-related crime, and improve the identification and tracking of motor vehicles. The plates are equipped with electronic features designed to assist security agencies in monitoring vehicles and responding to potential threats.

However, critics have continued to question whether the project was adequately planned and whether sufficient assessments were carried out before its rollout.

Gen Katumba's testimony provides fresh insight into the origins of the initiative, suggesting that the project's defining feature was the ability to detect tampering and send alerts, a requirement that ultimately shaped both its design and its "digital" designation.

Parliament is expected to continue examining the project as part of its oversight role, with lawmakers seeking further clarification on the decision-making process, costs, and expected benefits of the digital number plate system.