ITMS to facilitate easy tracking of criminals – Muhwezi

By Sarah Akello

The rationale of the Integrated Transportation Management Systems (ITMS) is to facilitate the Government through the Uganda Police Force, to easily identify and track any motor vehicle or motorcycle that may be used by any person in the commission of a criminal offence including traffic offences prescribed under the Traffic and Road Safety Act.

His statement arises from a Motion moved by Hon. Sarah Achieng Opendi, Tororo Woman MP, urging the Government to examine the Implementation of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System with M/S Joint Stock Company Global Security to address public concerns.

According to the Security Minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, Uganda has witnessed a series of shocking and gruesome crimes committed by criminals driving motor vehicles and riding motorcycles.

In response to this wave of crime, in 2018, the President directed relevant Government Agencies to beef up security in Uganda by establishing a Smart Tracking System for motor vehicles and motorcycles countrywide. The main objective was to improve security and reduce crime committed against innocent Ugandans by rogues, who had made it a habit to shoot at people and get away with it, mainly on motorcycles.

He said that whereas its true that Ugandans pay taxes on importing vehicles, it is a conventional and legal requirement that they also proceed to meet costs for buying number plates; paying for road licenses as well as other insurance covers before the vehicle gets on the road.

“The bottom line is that; our people are already meeting three cost centers before a vehicle gets on the road. The current number plates are highly susceptible to being forged, tampered with and can be replaced or switched easily,” said Muhwezi.

He added that the overall benefits of the ITMS are noble and extend beyond the aspirations of reducing crime to improving surveillance on our porous borders, saying that this Uganda will be better equipped-once the ITMS is operational, it will also address human trafficking and smuggling across the borders although sections of the public and media have cast the project as one fashioned with objectionable results.

He informed the members that the government is aware of its mandate to promote rights and freedoms and that any limitation of the enjoyment of rights and freedoms must be what is acceptable and demonstrated justifiable in a free and democratic society.