When Daniel Mwesigye stepped outside his home in Kisaasi one morning, he expected an ordinary start to the day. His car was parked exactly where he had left it the previous night. There were no signs of forced entry, broken windows or vandalism. From a distance, everything appeared normal.
Then he noticed something unusual. The front and rear number plates were missing.
At first, he thought he was mistaken. He walked around the vehicle again, hoping he had somehow overlooked them. But the empty screw holes confirmed the reality. His number plates had disappeared.
What began as confusion quickly turned into frustration. Even more worrying was the realisation that he was not alone.
Residents in several parts of Kampala say cases of missing number plates appear to be increasingly common, with motorists in areas such as Kisaasi, Ntinda and on sections of the Northern Bypass reporting similar experiences.
For some victims, however, the story does not end with the discovery of a missing plate. Instead, it takes a more troubling turn.
The mysterious phone call
Shortly after discovering his missing plates, Mwesigye found a small piece of paper tucked beneath his windscreen wiper. It contained a phone number.
Curious and desperate to recover the plates, he called. The person who answered allegedly claimed to know where the plates were and offered to help him recover them for a fee.
‘I was told to send money if I wanted them back,’ Mwesigye recalls.
What followed was a series of phone calls, instructions and negotiations. Eventually, he says, he was directed to different locations near the Northern Bypass where the plates had been hidden.
By the time he recovered them, he had spent more money than he expected.
More importantly, the experience left him shaken.
‘I never imagined something like that could happen at home,’ he says.
A growing concern for motorists
Across Kampala, stories of missing number plates have increasingly found their way into conversations among motorists and on social media platforms, where drivers share warnings and advice.
While not every missing plate is necessarily stolen, some motorists insist the circumstances point to deliberate removal.
The fact that some victims reportedly receive phone calls demanding payment has fuelled suspicions that organised individuals may be targeting parked vehicles, removing the plates and later seeking money from owners desperate to avoid the inconvenience of replacing them.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the incidents are linked to organised criminal groups, but they caution motorists against attempting to negotiate with unknown callers.
Police urge caution
Traffic police say motorists whose number plates are stolen or go missing should immediately report the matter to the nearest police station.
Mr Michael Kananura, the spokesperson for the Traffic Directorate, says dealing directly with people demanding payment can complicate investigations and potentially encourage similar incidents.
He says motorists should prioritise making a formal report and obtaining the necessary documentation required for replacement.
‘When such cases are detected during operations, the key issue is whether the matter was reported,’ he says.
Kananura notes that drivers found operating vehicles without number plates may face difficulties if they cannot prove that the loss was reported to police.
Why number plates matter
To many motorists, number plates are simply pieces of metal attached to a vehicle. In reality, they are among the most important identifiers of any vehicle on the road.
Number plates link vehicles to registration records and play a critical role in law enforcement, traffic management and road safety monitoring.
Their absence can create challenges not only for motorists but also for authorities trying to identify vehicles involved in traffic offences or criminal activity.
What the law says
Under Uganda’s Traffic and Road Safety Act, 2020, it is an offence to drive a vehicle without valid registration plates.
Section 30(1) prohibits the use of a motor vehicle that is not properly registered or whose number plates are missing, altered or obscured.
The offence carries a penalty of up to 40 currency points, equivalent to Shs800,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
Authorities, therefore, advise motorists not to continue driving as though nothing has happened after discovering a missing plate.
What to do if your number plate goes missing
If you discover that your number plate has been stolen or lost, officials recommend taking the following steps immediately:
Report the matter to the police and obtain a reference number.
Begin the replacement process through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Publish a notice in a newspaper announcing the loss, as required during the replacement process.
Submit all required documentation to URA for processing of replacement plates.
Authorities warn that delaying the process can create complications during roadside inspections and enforcement operations.
Replacing number plates can be time-consuming and costly, which may explain why some victims choose to engage with individuals promising a quicker solution.
But authorities warn that paying unofficial ‘recovery fees’ may only encourage further incidents.
For motorists, the lesson is simple: a missing number plate should never be treated as a minor inconvenience.
What appears to be a small piece of metal can quickly become the source of unexpected costs, legal complications and days of disruption.
And until those responsible are identified and stopped, many Kampala drivers may continue parking their vehicles with a new concern in mind, not whether the car will still be there in the morning, but whether its number plates will be.
Myth vs fact
Myth: If your number plate is stolen, you can continue driving while waiting for a replacement.
Fact: Driving without valid number plates can still attract penalties, even if you are a victim of theft.
Myth: Reporting the loss to police is optional if you intend to replace the plates through URA.
Fact: A police reference is required before the replacement process can begin.
Myth: Missing number plates usually find their way back without any action.
Fact: Prompt reporting helps avoid complications and supports investigations.
Myth: You can only be penalised if both number plates are missing.
Fact: Driving with even one missing plate can amount to an offence under the law.
Myth: Paying someone who contacts you is the fastest solution.
Fact: Authorities discourage informal payments because they may encourage repeat incidents and can complicate investigations.