KAMPALA— In a dramatic turn of events, the government has announced the temporary suspension of Uganda’s controversial Electronic Penalty System (EPS Auto), effective midnight tonight, following weeks of mounting public outrage, legal challenges, and political pressure.

In a statement issued Wednesday evening, the Ministry of Works and Transport confirmed that the decision follows a comprehensive review of the system’s implementation. 

The ministry added that Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport, will issue a detailed statement tomorrow to outline the government’s next steps.

“Effective midnight tonight, the implementation of the automated Express Penalty System [EPS Auto] will be temporarily suspended following a comprehensive review,” the statement read. “We urge all road users to continue driving responsibly and observing traffic rules.”

The suspension comes after weeks of intense public backlash, with motorists accusing authorities of enforcing punitive and confusing fines — often without clear signage — and targeting minor infractions with heavy penalties ranging from Shs 200,000 to Shs 3,000,000. 

Many critics had argued that the 30 km/h speed limits in many urban zones were unrealistic and poorly communicated.

The move also follows legal warnings by prominent human rights lawyer Male Mabirizi, who argued this week that the entire EPS system is illegal due to lack of gazette publication, rendering the fines null and void. 

A 2022 parliamentary report had earlier questioned the financial model underpinning the system, which projected the government would collect nearly Shs 3.8 trillion (USD 996 million) from traffic penalties and related services over 10 years.

This temporary suspension is likely to ease growing public anger, but attention will now turn to tomorrow’s statement by Minister Katumba Wamala, as the country awaits clarity on whether the system will be fundamentally reformed or completely overhauled.

By chimpReports