As someone who has developed vehicle tracking systems in East Africa, watching the unfolding of Uganda’s Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) project implementation by the Ministry of Works and Transport feels like witnessing a technological regression rather than progress.
Having successfully deployed GPS-based vehicle monitoring and management system for public transport in Rwanda, I can’t help but question the choices made in this multi-million-dollar project contracted to Joint Stock Company Global Security. I am not comparing Rwanda to Uganda in execution. I’m simply comparing the application of technology. Patriotism demands that we speak out.
A Developer’s Perspective
In 2017, I led a team that developed and implemented a comprehensive vehicle monitoring and management system for public transport in Rwanda. We utilized basic GPS trackers that cost us approximately $12-15 per unit when sourced directly from manufacturers in Shenzhen. These devices, combined with our locally developed software, created an efficient system that continues to serve Rwanda’s public transport sector effectively.
So, when I learned about Uganda’s Ministry of Works and Transport’s ambitious project promising RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)-embedded digital number plates, I was initially excited. This would have been a significant leap forward for our region’s transport technology infrastructure. However, what’s being rolled out in 2024 has left me and many other Ugandan tech professionals deeply concerned.
The Promise vs. Reality
The Ministry of Works and Transport’s contract with Joint Stock Company Global Security promised a revolutionary system with RFID-embedded plates. Instead, what we’re seeing is painful and I speak from experience of a transport technology professional:
– Basic GPS trackers wired to vehicles
– Standard metallic plates with plastic fusion
– Dependence on aging 2G and 3G networks
– A staggering price tag of $200 installation fee per vehicle
Let’s just take the issue of costs: From my experience implementing similar systems, I can break down what I would call-realistic costs:
– GPS tracker (high-quality): $15-20
– Installation and configuration: $30-40
– Standard number plate: $30-50
– System update and maintenance (per year, per vehicle): $20-30
Even with generous margins for operational costs and profit, we’re looking at a reasonable total of $100-120 per vehicle. The current pricing structure raises serious questions about value for money.
The Original Promise
The ten-year contract was meant to revolutionize Uganda’s vehicle tracking and security system. Digital number plates with embedded RFID technology would have put Uganda at par with countries like Dubai, which implemented RFID-enabled plates in 2017, allowing real-time vehicle tracking and automated toll collection. South Korea’s advanced vehicle management system similarly uses RFID technology integrated with their traffic management infrastructure.
Technical Reality Check
As someone who has written tracking software from the ground up, I can confidently say that what’s being installed in Uganda is remarkably basic. We don’t deserve basic. We deserve advanced. This is what President Museveni promised, especially using the system to track criminals.
The GPS trackers being used appear similar to those I’ve worked with in various projects – simple devices that transmit location data (latitude/longitude coordinates generated), speed, and basic vehicle metrics. There’s nothing proprietary or revolutionary about this technology.
The absence of the promised RFID infrastructure is particularly telling. During my system development work, I extensively researched RFID implementation for potential upgrades.
True RFID-based vehicle identification systems require:
– Network of RFID readers along major roadways
– Sophisticated data processing infrastructure
– Integration with traffic management systems
– Secure data transmission protocols
None of these elements appear to be present in the current implementation by the Ministry of Works and Transport.
A Call for Technical Review
As someone deeply invested in transport technology in East Africa, I believe we need:
- An independent technical audit of the current implementation
- Transparency from the Ministry of Works and Transport regarding the system specifications
- Review of the contract terms and deliverables
- Explanation for the shift from RFID to basic GPS technology
- Clear accountability for the pricing structure
The Ministry of Works and Transport must address these concerns. From my experience developing similar systems, I can state unequivocally that Uganda could have implemented a more sophisticated solution at a fraction of the current cost.
Looking Forward
This isn’t just about technology – it’s about governance and responsibility. I know we have the local expertise and capability to develop and deploy effective solutions. The government of Uganda through Ministry of Works and Transport’s choice to proceed with this implementation at such inflated costs doesn’t just represent poor value for money – it represents a missed opportunity to develop local capacity and create a truly modern transport management system.
The question now isn’t just about what went wrong, but what we’re going to do about it. As a technology enthusiast and professional who has seen what’s possible with even modest budgets, I call upon the President to demand better. We deserve transparency, value for money, and most importantly, a system that actually delivers on its promises.
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