Delays in the digital number plate registration process have left hundreds of imported cars stranded at the Malaba border, causing significant frustration and financial losses for drivers.
Many drivers have been waiting for days, with some arriving as early as Friday but still stuck in queues by Tuesday.
Limited Staff and Inefficiency Blamed for Delays
The bottleneck has been attributed to the insufficient number of officials deployed by the Ministry of Works and Transport to handle the registration process.
Only five personnel are tasked with managing the installation of digital number plates, an effort inadequate to cope with the influx of 400 to 500 vehicles arriving weekly.
“The bureaucracies are overwhelming,” said Mr. Mahada Atuhaire, a transport manager with Asha Trading Company.
“I arrived on Friday, but today is Tuesday, and I am still in the queue.” He called for increased manpower to speed up the process.
Drivers also cited limited space at the registration area, which accommodates just 12 cars at a time, further contributing to delays.
Financial Losses for Drivers
Many drivers are incurring significant financial losses as they wait for registration to be completed. Ms. Nzilani Njuki, who transports vehicles from Mombasa to Kampala, explained the impact:
“I am paid UGX 200,000 per trip, but if I am stuck here for five days, spending UGX 30,000 daily, I end up with no money.”
Drivers like Mr. Fahad Katerega from Jan Japan Auto Motors echoed these frustrations. “Officials process only 30 cars a day, which is far too few given the high volume,” he said.
Calls for Decentralization
To address the issue, drivers are urging the government to consider decentralizing the process.
“If the officials here cannot handle it, it would be better to shift registration to car bonds in Kampala to reduce congestion and save time,” suggested Mr. Nasser Mbago, another affected driver.
Clearing agents have also pointed out that the delays at the border are only part of the problem.
Once vehicles clear registration at Malaba, drivers must proceed to Uganda Revenue Authority premises for further verification, which adds to the delays.
Government Response Awaited
Efforts to reach Ms. Susan Kataike, Senior Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Works and Transport, were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, drivers and stakeholders are urging the government to take immediate action, deploy additional staff, and streamline the registration process.
About Uganda’s Digital Number Plates
The third phase of Uganda’s digital number plate registration was rolled out on January 6, 2025. Cars entering the country for the first time must be registered at entry points like Malaba and Mutukula.
The cost of a digital number plate is UGX 714,300, and applications can be made through the Uganda Revenue Authority portal or the ITMS booking system.
While the process is intended to enhance efficiency, the current implementation has highlighted logistical challenges that need urgent resolution.
