KAMPALA, UGANDA — Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport plans to begin wide-ranging public consultations to review the express penalty scheme (EPS) for traffic fines, seeking better implementation methods after a previous automated system faced widespread rejection last month.
The ministry was forced to suspend the automated traffic fines system in June after realizing it had been rolled out without sufficient groundwork or public understanding, said Allan Ssempebwa, a senior communications officer at the ministry, on Friday.
“The EPS auto system was implemented, yet little effort had been made towards explaining why it mattered for Ugandans to understand it,” Ssempebwa told communications officials from various ministries, departments and agencies. “What we did was insufficient. On June 6, when we rolled it out, we thought people would accept the fines and fees payment. When we ignored it, there was a backlash; the public didn’t appreciate us.”
Speaking at the National Public Relations Symposium in Kampala, Ssempebwa emphasized the importance of organizations assessing public feedback when implementing projects. He noted the ministry’s leadership decided on broad consultations to support road safety and encourage voluntary payment of fines.
Susan Nsibirwa, managing director of NMG-Uganda, which co-sponsored the symposium, advised communications officials to always be transparent during crises, even if it means sharing negative or uncomfortable information.
“The one principle everybody should adopt is transparency, whether it means getting feedback that is negative or uncomfortable. It builds public trust because you will be telling people this is working and this not working. We are having particular challenges here, and in this era of misinformation, it gives you an edge over those who are more than eager to spread misinformation about your company or products,” Nsibirwa said.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, represented by State Minister for Labour and Social Development Esther Anyakun, urged public relations officials to diligently carry out their duties, highlighting that communication influences behavior and drives policy change. Among also noted her office has received the Public Relations Association of Uganda (PRAU) Draft Bill and is willing to support its recognition as law.
Last month, motorists protested the automated traffic fines, with some claiming the system unfairly issued them multiple tickets in a single day.
The automated Express Penalty System was designed to detect violations such as speeding and running red lights, capture vehicle information, and generate e-fines logged into a database. Vehicle owners were to be notified via SMS or email about the offense, fine amount, deadline and payment channels.
