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The ministry of Works and Transport has invited key stakeholders in Uganda’s transport sector to a joint meeting aimed at addressing persistent challenges in motor vehicle registration.
The meeting follows discussions held on April 13, 2026, between the Delight Car Dealers Association and the ministry, during which used car dealers raised concerns over inefficiencies in the registration process.
Edward Katumba-Wamala, the minister of Works and Transport, has called for a joint working session bringing together vehicle dealers, clearing agents, the number plate manufacturer ITMS, and the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Ahead of the meeting, stakeholders reported progress in operational processes. William Eripu of Delight Car Dealers Association welcomed the introduction of new number plates as a positive step but noted gaps in implementation.
He cited cases of individuals, some posing as agents, soliciting money from dealers, as well as reports of ground personnel informally selling number plates.
Winstone Katushabe, commissioner for transport regulation and safety, attributed a significant share of delays to clearing agents, accusing some of failing to complete required procedures and deliberately slowing processes for financial gain.
Katushabe explained that vehicles often appear “stuck” in the system due to errors by agents, including submission of incorrect documents and the imposition of unjustified charges.
He advised motorists to use the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) portal to track “which agency is currently handling the request.”
He also noted that some delays stem from incorrectly completed customs declarations. According to Joseph Tumwine, ITMS has expanded its production facility in Kyambogo and now employs more than 300 Ugandans, producing up to 2,500 number plate kits daily.
Localisation levels have reached 70 per cent, with the facility expected to become East Africa’s first full-cycle number plate production plant by year’s end. To meet rising demand, ITMS continues to scale up local manufacturing capacity to match the growing volume of vehicle registrations.
Motor vehicle plate printing process
The current installation rate stands at 1,200 per day, with an average weekly throughput of 7,500 motor vehicles and motorcycles. As part of network expansion, new installation centres have been opened in Gulu and Fort Portal, complementing existing points in Malaba, Mutukula, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, and Arua.
Kampala is currently served by 26 stationary centres alongside several mobile installation units. URA officials attributed persistent delays to errors by car agents in completing declarations and misinforming clients about timelines.
According to URA, this year, due to close coordination with the ministry of Works and Transport and the Motor Vehicle Registration division, 85 per cent of new number plates are installed within 24 hours, with the key objective being to reach 100 per cent installation within 24 hours from the moment of application.
Katumba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the system, saying the target by the end of this year is that once a motor vehicle has been fully cleared for installation, it should be fitted with a number plate on the same day of application.
Related
, https://observer.ug/news/works-convenes-joint-meeting-to-streamline-motor-vehicle-registration/
