A Russian firm, Joint Stock Company Global Security, has presented documentary evidence to Uganda's parliament, indicating that its agreement with the government for the digital number plate project was concluded in accordance with the required legal and procedural requirements. The agreement, dated July 23, 2021, was signed by representatives of the Office of the President, the ministry of Works and Transport, and JSC Global Security. This development comes amid parliamentary scrutiny of the project's cost, implementation, and contractor capacity.
The digital number plate project, backed by a $115 million investment, aims to establish a national vehicle-monitoring infrastructure. During a closed-door meeting with parliament's committee on Physical Infrastructure and police representatives, the company presented its agreement and highlighted the project's objectives. The system, which has been demonstrated to track both motor vehicles and motorcycles, has been shown to have operational value in helping investigators resolve cases. Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba acknowledged the system's benefits, stating that it is giving solutions in investigations.
Members of parliament who inspected the system have confirmed that it can track both motor vehicles and motorcycles. In a live demonstration at the Naguru police command centre on October 2, MPs witnessed the system's vehicle-tracking capabilities. The demonstration was followed by further engagements between the company, Parliament, and the police. Mwine Mpaka, chairperson of parliament's committee on physical infrastructure, stated that the inspection had confirmed that the system could track both cars and motorcycles.
The committee is currently reviewing the project's cost and the contractor's capacity. However, Mpaka emphasized that the project is important and that the whole country needs the digital number plate system. He added that the committee is looking at the cost and the contractor's capacity, but no one is against the project. The demonstration complemented figures presented by the Uganda Police on September 30, showing that 337 of 375 reported stolen motor vehicles had been recovered, representing about 90 per cent of the cases.
JSC project manager Damir Makhmutov highlighted the project's contribution to local employment, skills development, and the domestic economy. As of September 2026, the company employed 320 people, including 301 Ugandans and 19 expatriates, with Ugandans accounting for about 94 per cent of the workforce. Makhmutov stated that Ugandan employees were engaged in production, installation, technical support, field operations, and administration, gaining practical experience in specialised manufacturing, digital integration, and equipment maintenance.
The company has also supported local businesses through procurement from 106 Ugandan suppliers. According to Makhmutov, the project's capacity-building records include 37 training programmes and more than 3,700 training attendances, including repeat participation. The company has also established local production facilities and technical infrastructure, which have helped build domestic manufacturing capacity and technical expertise. More than 470,000 digital number plates had been installed by September 30, 2026.
JSC has cleared a supply-related backlog by the end of July following temporary international supply disruptions earlier in 2026. The company introduced alternative logistics routes and established safety stock to maintain production and installation schedules. Meanwhile, vehicle-related tax collections increased by 20.7 per cent between the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years, amounting to an increase of Shs 204.52 billion, according to figures previously presented by the ministry of Works and Transport.
Key points
- The digital number plate project is backed by a $115 million investment and aims to establish a national vehicle-monitoring infrastructure.
- The system has been demonstrated to track both motor vehicles and motorcycles, and has helped investigators resolve cases.
- The project has contributed to local employment, skills development, and the domestic economy, with Ugandans accounting for about 94 per cent of the workforce.
