The Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) says it plans to produce up to one million digital number plates in 2026 as Uganda accelerates the nationwide transition from the old registration system.
The rollout is part of a mandatory two-year migration to digital number plates aimed at enhancing security, curbing crime and improving traffic management.
The transition officially began in late 2023 with government vehicles, expanded to motorcycles, and moved to third-party and first-time vehicle registrations in January 2025. Motorists have been given until January 2027 to fully comply.
Mr Joseph Tumwine, the ITMS head of installations, said the programme has gathered momentum, with about 300,000 digital number plates installed this year for first-time registrations alone. He said production capacity will be significantly scaled up in 2026.
‘We have already achieved 83 percent of installations on the planned day and we are committed to improving this performance,’ Tumwine said.
‘We are also announcing an ambitious target to produce up to one million new number plates in 2026, supported by a new factory in Kyambogo,’ he added.
The Kyambogo facility currently employs about 300 Ugandans and produces up to 2,500 number plates per shift, according to ITMS officials.
Mr Tumwine was speaking on Friday during an event in Kampala where ITMS officials, together with Spiro Uganda, recognised the owner of the 200,026th motorcycle to receive a new digital number plate. The boda boda rider was presented with branded gifts to mark the milestone.
Spiro Uganda country head Bruce Mucunguzi said the company is working closely with ITMS and the Ministry of Works and Transport to speed up installations while minimising downtime for riders.
‘Our priority is to deliver a secure, efficient and transparent implementation that meets regulatory requirements and the needs of customers,’ Mr Mucunguzi said, adding: ‘Through coordinated efforts, installation processes have been accelerated, and most registration queries are now resolved in less than 24 hours,’ he added.
Mr Tumwine said the progress reflects ITMS’s commitment to building domestic capacity by producing durable digital number plates entirely within Uganda, while ensuring a seamless and transparent registration process for motorists.
Susan Kataike, the principal communications officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport, said the third phase of implementation, which began on January 6, 2025, focuses on new motor vehicles entering the country.
‘All new vehicles are required to have digital number plates installed at a cost of Shs700,000,’ Ms Kataike said.
The ITMS integrates advanced transport monitoring and data analytics technologies, including smart road enforcement tools such as the Electronic Penalty System. The system also supports the Uganda Police Force in tracking and recovering stolen vehicles and motorcycles.
Officials maintained that the digital number plate programme is expected to significantly improve road safety, strengthen security and support more efficient management of Uganda’s transport sector as the country modernises its vehicle registration system.