Uganda has signed a deal with a Eurasian firm named Global Systems LLC to install tracking devices in all public and private vehicles, motorcycles and water vessels in the country.
The deal was inked on Friday with Security Minister Jim Muhwezi signing on behalf of the Ugandan government.
“Today, I have presided over the signing ceremony of the agreement between @GovUganda and the M/S Joint-stock global systems company on the intelligent transporting monitoring systems I thank H.E @KagutaMuseveni for his wise guidance and support on this project,” Muhwezi said.
He added, “The @GovUganda will conduct a re-register exercise for all the vehicles in Uganda and new electronic number plates will be issued.”
Under the arrangement, the company in a process to be superintended by the government will attach spy chips in all vehicles, motorcycle and barges for which owners will pay Shs20,000 annually.
According to details of the deal, Global Systems Company will take 70 per cent of money from penalties in the first two years, with the rest going to government.
In the fourth year, the two parties will share the revenue on 50:50 basis, and the government will take 70 per cent from the sixth year onwards while the contractor settles for 30 per cent.
It was first proposed by President Yoweri Museveni who saw it as a way to counter insecurity incidents, when he outlined measures to deter a wave of assassinations in the country in 2018.
“In my 2018 speech I talked about digital monitors to be installed in every vehicle and motorcycle. That project has delayed and I don’t know why,” Museveni said last month following an incident in which ex army chief General Katumba Wamala survived assassination.
The proposed installation of digital tracking devices adds to the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and recruitment/deployment of Local Defence Unit personnel.