Members of Parliament have proposed a meeting with a Russian firm- the Joint Global Security Company contracted to implement the Intelligence Transport Monitoring System (ITMS).
The proposal was made during the joint meeting of the Committees of Defence and Internal Affairs and Physical Infrastructure on Tuesday.
David Karubanga, the Chairperson of the Committee on Physical Infrastructure said that they want to meet the officials so that they demonstrate how the project will be implemented and also facilitate their report to the House and public on the functionality of the system.
The Government entered a partnership with Joint Stock Company Global Security to install new number plates with unique security features on all government and private vehicles to curb murders, robberies, and car thefts.
Robert Kasolo, the Vice-Chairperson of the Committee, said that Parliament should not only interrogate how the motor vehicle tracking system works but also interrogate the entire project including profiling the firm and how the government reportedly signed the contract without competitive bidding.
Kasolo said that parliament needs to ascertain whether the system cannot be subjected to manipulation and other encumbrances.
Moses Kabuusu, the Kyamuswa County MP proposed that a team from Parliament benchmark and consults widely to establish if the Russian firm has actually successfully implemented a similar project elsewhere.
Citing past incidents where the government procured junk helicopters, Ronald Balimwezo the Nakawa East MP called for due diligence to be carried out on the Russian firm.
He also expressed fears that the installation of tracking devices would encroach into peoples’ right to privacy and facilitate abuse of human rights by security operatives.
Lubega Bashir, the Mubende Municipality MP also asked that government provides the full agreement it signed with the company for scrutiny.
Michael Timuzigu, the Kajara County MP expressed concern about allowing the Russian company to be in charge of inserting the monitoring devices in the vehicles. He argued that this will mean that the country’s security will be controlled by a foreign country which could be dangerous.
Sarah Opendi, the Tororo Woman MP says that Uganda should also emulate other countries which have canceled the contracts of the Russian companies because of it attack on Ukraine.
In November Opendi tabled a motion in Parliament about the Russian Company. She urged the government to examine the implementation of the ITMS to address public concerns related to extra cost to be incurred by the owners of vehicles, the likelihood of intrusion into people’s right to privacy, and assurances on value for money.
The two committees are expected to have another joint meeting with the Ministers of Security and Works and Transport.
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