Ever wondered what’s behind that Q code on the newly rolled-out digital number plates? Well, worry no more, a one Kuteesa Tumwiine on X took it upon himself to use his smartphone to scan the QR code on a digital number plate. In his X post, he said, “So out of curiosity, I scanned the QR code on the new number plates to see what comes. ” The linked content revealed that the scan led to a Google search page. This unexpected result sparked a thread of reactions, with users expressing amusement and disappointment, such as “no way” and “we’ve been finessed,” and many other humorous reactions.
Intelligent Transport Monitoring System Uganda (ITMS) responds
The tweet sparked a quick response from the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System Uganda (ITMS) in an X post (ITMS Uganda), addressing Tumwiine’s experiment. They stated that the QR code is a secure feature accessible only to authorized personnel, specifically the Uganda Police and the ITMS control system, ensuring the general public cannot scan it. This restriction maintains the privacy and security of vehicle registration data. The QR code serves two primary purposes:
So out of curiosity I scanned the QR code on the new number plates to see what comes. Watch 👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/epKZ18wLIO
— Kuteesa Tumwiine🇺🇬 (@de_enginiya) April 2, 2025
- Vehicle Verification: Allows police to confirm the plate matches the vehicle, aiding in fraud prevention.
- Production and Printing: Enables the production team to print plates accurately with vehicle details, enhancing efficiency.
ITMS Uganda emphasized that by limiting access, the system prevents potential misuse, explaining why public scans, like Tumwiine’s, yield unrelated results. Further replies in the thread clarified that the QR code displays a unique serial number read by Number Plate Recognition (NPR) cameras, with data accessible only at the Police Command Centre in Naguru.
The digital number plates are part of Uganda’s Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS), an initiative to modernize transport, enhance security, and improve traffic management, as detailed in as we have indicated before. The system, partnered with Joint Stock Company Global Security (a Russian firm), began with government vehicles and is rolling out nationally. Each plate includes an embedded chip for real-time tracking via satellites or a central system, with tamper-proof features triggering alerts for alterations.
New vehicle owners pay UGX 714,000, while existing owners pay UGX 150,000 for vehicles and UGX 50,000 for motorcycles for replacement. The financial model includes technology implementation and 10-year revenue from fines and sales, managed by the Russian company. Benefits include reduced vehicle theft, improved traffic flow through real-time data, and revenue generation, but challenges include infrastructure reliance, privacy concerns from constant tracking, and maintenance costs, sparking public and political debate over affordability and foreign involvement.
Public Reaction and Implications
Tumwiine’s experiment and the subsequent discussion highlight public curiosity and skepticism about the new system. Online replies questioned practical utility, with one user asking how it helps a farmer in Adjumani district, and another wondering about police access to QR code readers on roads. ITMS Uganda’s additional responses noted GPS trackers in plates for stolen vehicle recovery, but the QR code’s restricted access limits public interaction, potentially fueling perceptions of inaccessibility.
The incident reflects broader themes in technological adoption, balancing security with public engagement. While the QR code enhances verification for authorized use, its inaccessibility to citizens like Tumwiine, who found a telecom offer instead of vehicle data, underscores the need for clear communication. Future rollout will likely require addressing these gaps to build trust, especially given debates over costs (seen as prohibitive by some) and privacy concerns.
