Archival Sense
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 536
- 250
Uganda’s motor vehicle dealers say the country went without locally produced number plates for three months, leaving thousands of motorists waiting for plates they had already paid for and raising questions over the cost of the new supply arrangement.
Appearing before a parliamentary committee, dealers said number plates were unavailable in May, June and July, with some customers who paid in May reportedly not receiving their plates until August or September.
A representative told the committee that figures from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) showed about 5,000 vehicles and 15,000 motorcycles are registered every month, meaning the disruption potentially affected tens of thousands of motorists.
Dealers contrasted the delays with the previous system, under which an allocated number plate could reportedly be produced and fitted on the same day.
They also questioned the decision to replace two number plate service providers with a single provider, arguing that competition had previously helped keep the service efficient.
One representative described the change as a move from a “functional duopoly to an unfunctional monopoly.”
The dealers also raised concerns over the cost of the plates, saying motorists previously paid about Shs137,000 for a similar number plate but are now charged Shs714,300.
“The numbers just do not add up. How do you justify a jump from 137 to 714,300 shillings?” a representative asked.
The claims have put renewed focus on Uganda’s number plate supply system, its capacity to meet growing demand and whether motorists are getting value for money under the current arrangement.
Watch:
Appearing before a parliamentary committee, dealers said number plates were unavailable in May, June and July, with some customers who paid in May reportedly not receiving their plates until August or September.
A representative told the committee that figures from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) showed about 5,000 vehicles and 15,000 motorcycles are registered every month, meaning the disruption potentially affected tens of thousands of motorists.
Dealers contrasted the delays with the previous system, under which an allocated number plate could reportedly be produced and fitted on the same day.
They also questioned the decision to replace two number plate service providers with a single provider, arguing that competition had previously helped keep the service efficient.
One representative described the change as a move from a “functional duopoly to an unfunctional monopoly.”
The dealers also raised concerns over the cost of the plates, saying motorists previously paid about Shs137,000 for a similar number plate but are now charged Shs714,300.
“The numbers just do not add up. How do you justify a jump from 137 to 714,300 shillings?” a representative asked.
The claims have put renewed focus on Uganda’s number plate supply system, its capacity to meet growing demand and whether motorists are getting value for money under the current arrangement.
Watch:
