Car dealers in Uganda feel upset about problems with the new digital license plate program. This program should make it easier to identify cars, but it faces many troubles.
Dealers say the program runs poorly. "We're seeing delays of three to five days just to get number plates fitted," a car seller from Kampala said without giving his name. "This happens because of payment problems, and then we wait longer for logbooks. It causes big backups."
The payment system works poorly and doesn't connect well with other systems. Also, the company making the plates often runs out of materials. "We're constantly running out of stock," another dealer said. The provider simply can't keep up with demand."
More problems exist beyond these issues. There aren't enough workers. The people hired lack good training. The government promised nine permanent centers at bonded warehouses, but these don't exist yet. Current staff numbers seem low. Customer service workers don't understand the project enough to help people.
"The customer service is appalling," one dealer said. "They don't know the project details, and they can't answer basic questions."
Dealers hate the payment rules. People must pay all costs upfront, which ignores how car buying works for many Ugandans, who pay bit by bit over time. "This system is completely out of touch with how the automotive industry operates," a dealer explained. It ignores the reality of hire purchase agreements, which are crucial for many Ugandans."
Security remains a major worry. Last December, police couldn't find stolen motorcycles even with digital plates, which makes people doubt the system's effectiveness. "If these plates can't even help recover stolen motorcycles, what's the point?" asked one dealer.
The public knows little about the program. The government stopped it in July 2023 because people weren't well informed. But that problem continues—most Ugandans still don't understand the new rules, costs, or steps. "There's been no proper public education campaign," a dealer said. People are completely in the dark."
The high price upsets many people. Ugandans pay 150,000 shillings to replace car plates and 50,000 for motorcycle plates – paying twice for the same thing. New car registrations cost 714,300 shillings. Kenya charges much less for the same services.
Car dealers want the government to fix these problems. They want better program transparency, faster service, and lower prices for digital license plates.
Dealers say the program runs poorly. "We're seeing delays of three to five days just to get number plates fitted," a car seller from Kampala said without giving his name. "This happens because of payment problems, and then we wait longer for logbooks. It causes big backups."
The payment system works poorly and doesn't connect well with other systems. Also, the company making the plates often runs out of materials. "We're constantly running out of stock," another dealer said. The provider simply can't keep up with demand."
More problems exist beyond these issues. There aren't enough workers. The people hired lack good training. The government promised nine permanent centers at bonded warehouses, but these don't exist yet. Current staff numbers seem low. Customer service workers don't understand the project enough to help people.
"The customer service is appalling," one dealer said. "They don't know the project details, and they can't answer basic questions."
Dealers hate the payment rules. People must pay all costs upfront, which ignores how car buying works for many Ugandans, who pay bit by bit over time. "This system is completely out of touch with how the automotive industry operates," a dealer explained. It ignores the reality of hire purchase agreements, which are crucial for many Ugandans."
Security remains a major worry. Last December, police couldn't find stolen motorcycles even with digital plates, which makes people doubt the system's effectiveness. "If these plates can't even help recover stolen motorcycles, what's the point?" asked one dealer.
The public knows little about the program. The government stopped it in July 2023 because people weren't well informed. But that problem continues—most Ugandans still don't understand the new rules, costs, or steps. "There's been no proper public education campaign," a dealer said. People are completely in the dark."
The high price upsets many people. Ugandans pay 150,000 shillings to replace car plates and 50,000 for motorcycle plates – paying twice for the same thing. New car registrations cost 714,300 shillings. Kenya charges much less for the same services.
Car dealers want the government to fix these problems. They want better program transparency, faster service, and lower prices for digital license plates.
