This June 2025, Uganda ushered in a new era of traffic enforcement with the launch of the Automated Electronic Penalty System (EPSAuto), integrated into the broader Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS).
Read About: How the Automated Express Penalty System (EPSAuto) works
Despite significant public outcry over its implementation, concerns about fairness, and questions regarding infrastructure readiness, EPSAuto holds substantial potential to transform road safety and traffic management in Uganda.
By leveraging advanced technology, this system aims to address the alarming rate of road crashes, streamline enforcement, and foster a culture of compliance among drivers. Below, we explore the key benefits of EPSAuto and how it could positively impact road users, even amidst ongoing debates.
A step toward safer roads
One of the most compelling arguments for EPSAuto is its potential to enhance road safety. Uganda’s roads have long been plagued by high accident rates, with the 2024 Police Annual Crime Report recording 5,144 fatalities from road crashes. Speeding, identified as a factor in 44.5% of these incidents, remains a leading cause of carnage.
EPSAuto’s network of cameras, equipped with Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, operates 24/7 to monitor and penalize speeding and red-light violations. This constant surveillance serves as a deterrent, encouraging drivers to adhere to speed limits and traffic signals. By reducing reckless driving behaviors, EPSAuto could significantly lower the number of accidents, injuries, and deaths, offering road users—drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike—a safer environment.
Beyond deterrence, the system’s real-time monitoring allows for immediate intervention in high-risk areas. For instance, data collected from EPSAuto can highlight accident-prone zones, enabling authorities to implement targeted safety measures, such as speed bumps or improved signage. This proactive approach contrasts with traditional reactive methods, positioning EPSAuto as a critical tool in Uganda’s quest to curb its road crash epidemic.
Promoting compliance and discipline
EPSAuto’s automated enforcement fosters greater compliance with traffic laws, cultivating a culture of road discipline. Unlike manual systems, where enforcement may be inconsistent or subject to negotiation, EPSAuto issues fines impartially based on clear evidence of violations.
Drivers receive notifications via SMS or email, complete with photographic proof, which reinforces accountability. Early reports from authorities suggest that compliance has improved in areas where the system is active, as drivers adjust their behavior to avoid penalties.
This shift toward disciplined driving is particularly vital in urban centers like Kampala, where traffic congestion and erratic driving exacerbate risks. By ensuring that violations like running red lights or exceeding speed limits are consistently penalized, EPSAuto encourages road users to prioritize safety over convenience.
Over time, this could lead to a societal change in how traffic rules are perceived, benefiting all road users through more predictable and orderly road conditions.
Transparency and efficiency in enforcement
Another significant advantage of EPSAuto is its transparency. Manual traffic enforcement in Uganda has often been criticized for human error, bias, or allegations of corruption. EPSAuto eliminates much of this by relying on technology to capture violations.
The ANPR cameras record clear evidence, including timestamps and vehicle details, which is stored and presented to offenders. This reduces disputes over fines and builds trust in the enforcement process.
Moreover, EPSAuto streamlines traffic law enforcement, reducing the burden on Uganda’s judicial system. Minor traffic offenses, which previously clogged court dockets, are now handled through automated fines, allowing law enforcement and courts to focus on more serious crimes.
For road users, this means quicker resolution of violations and less time spent navigating legal processes. The system’s applicability to all vehicles—whether equipped with digital or conventional number plates—ensures fairness, as no group is exempt from scrutiny.
Data-driven traffic management
EPSAuto’s integration with the ITMS offers a wealth of data that can revolutionize traffic management. By collecting real-time information on traffic patterns, violation hotspots, and road usage, the system provides authorities with actionable insights. This data can inform urban planning, road maintenance, and traffic policy, leading to more efficient infrastructure.
For example, identifying areas with frequent speeding violations could prompt the installation of traffic-calming measures, while data on peak congestion times could guide signal optimization.
For road users, these improvements translate to smoother journeys, reduced travel times, and fewer frustrations. The system’s ability to monitor both urban roads and highways ensures that benefits extend beyond city limits, supporting long-distance travelers and commercial drivers as well.
Addressing public concerns
While EPSAuto’s benefits are clear, public skepticism cannot be ignored. Critics have raised concerns about the system’s fairness, citing issues like inaccurate fines, high penalties, and inadequate public awareness. Others question whether Uganda’s infrastructure, including road signage and network reliability, is ready for such an advanced system.
These are valid points, and addressing them is crucial to realizing EPSAuto’s potential. Authorities must prioritize transparent communication, regular system audits, and public education campaigns to build trust. Ensuring that fines are proportionate and that appeals processes are accessible will also help alleviate concerns.
