The Government has started installing Intelligent Transport Monitoring System – ITMS on passenger service vehicles to help security to avert criminal activities. The Russian firm, Joint Stock Company Global Security through the Ministry of Security is installing the trackers in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport.
Maj Gen (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi, the Minister of Security reveals that the Project Management Team – PMT has commenced a 46-day pilot exercise to install the digital trackers on 30 Government vehicles motorcycles and public service buses plying upcountry routes.
It is ending on 6 April 2022 before it is rolled out countrywide on a full scale. Muhwezi explained that the overall aim of the project is to improve security and reduce heinous crimes committed against Ugandan citizens by rogues who had made it a habit of shooting high-profile individuals and gett away on motorcycles.
According to the Minister, the overall benefits of the project are noble and extend beyond the borders of Uganda as it will help address human trafficking and smuggling. He was appearing before the Defence and Internal Affairs committee of parliament to explain the implementation of the project.
However, Rosemary Nyakikongoro, the Committee Chairperson who doubles as the Sheema District woman MP adjourned the meeting on grounds that the Minister did not avail the lawmakers with relevant documents for scrutiny.
In November 2021, Sarah Achieng Opendi, Tororo District Woman Member of parliament moved a motion seeking a resolution of Parliament urging the Government to examine the implementation of the digital system over tax and right to privacy concerns.
Muhwezi reiterated that the Government will uphold the right to privacy as enshrined in Article 43 of the Constitution and not to prejudice the rights and freedoms of Ugandans and public interest. He noted that unless otherwise required, personal data and information collected, processed and stored through the ITMS shall be subject to the principles provided for in the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019 that enables Government to collect personal data for national security purposes.
In 2018, President Yoweri Museveni said that Government would rid the country of gunmen involved in the shooting of high ranking people after shocking and gruesome crimes by assassins driving and riding automobiles.
Those killed include the Assistant Inspector General of Police -AIGP, Andrew Felix Kaweesi in March 2017, former Buyende District Police Commander, Muhammad Kirumira and Arua Municipality legislator, Ibrahim Abiriga, both in 2018.
The assassins also made a daring attempt on the life of Works and Transport Minister, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala. However, Katumba’s daughter, Brenda Nantongo and bodyguard Hurana Kayondo couldn’t escape the assassins.
