A Ugandan citizen has taken the government to court in a case that could shake the foundations of one of the country’s most ambitious technology-driven public service projects—raising fresh concerns over transparency, procurement legality, and the involvement of foreign companies in state infrastructure.
Kagingo Mohammed Brutus, through his lawyers at M/s Alaka & Co. Advocates, has filed a lawsuit at the High Court in Kampala, seeking to halt the ongoing distribution of digital number plates. At the center of the suit is the allegation that the company spearheading the rollout—Virtus Global Security Company—is operating illegally in Uganda, with no verifiable registration under local laws.
While public discourse around digital number plates has largely focused on privacy concerns and implementation delays, this case introduces a new dimension: the legal status and transparency of the government’s chosen implementation partner. Legal analysts argue that the case could force a review of how foreign contractors are selected for sensitive national projects and whether due diligence is being observed.
“This goes beyond number plates,” said legal expert Sarah Nambasa. “It speaks to how public contracts, especially those involving private international entities, are scrutinized—or not—before being executed.”
Brutus is also pushing the court to freeze transactions on two bank accounts allegedly tied to Virtus Global one at ECOBANK Uganda Limited and another at STANBIC Bank. He contends that these accounts are being used to collect money from unsuspecting Ugandans, despite the company lacking legal standing.
The lawsuit names the Attorney General, Russian-linked Joint Stock Company Global Security, and two foreign nationals, Aivan Shkarban and Makhmutov Damir, as respondents. Brutus argues that their continued operations constitute a breach of public trust and pose “an imminent threat to the public interest.”
The involvement of foreign nationals and overseas-registered entities in managing vehicle registration systems—a critical public infrastructure—has also reignited debates about national security and sovereignty.
“Digitized number plates carry potential surveillance capabilities,” noted IT policy researcher Joseph Lwanga. “If a foreign firm is controlling this data without proper oversight, there could be implications for both individual privacy and national security.”
The matter is scheduled to be heard today, June 11, 2025, before the High Court’s Civil Division. Brutus is requesting an interim injunction to prevent further issuance of the plates until the case is resolved.
If granted, the injunction could temporarily suspend the rollout of digital number plates, potentially affecting thousands of vehicle owners across the country.
This case may also compel the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Security to publicly clarify how Virtus Global was contracted and what legal framework governs the project.
In recent months, the digital number plate program has faced mounting criticism for lacking legislative backing and for what critics call opaque procurement practices. The High Court’s ruling could set a precedent for how such contracts are handled in the future.
