President Yoweri Museveni has demanded an explanation about the non-functional CCTV cameras and the stalled digital number plate project.
Museveni who was presiding over the Inaugural meeting between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the CID investigators/officers said that he was excited about the CCTV project but he was informed that they do not work at night.
He ordered the Police Director of Information Communication and Technology – ICT, Felix Baryamwisaki to explain why the cameras are only functional during the day.
Baryamwisaki attributed it to a management problem, which he said they are resolving. He added that they are working with KCCA to install lights to enhance nighttime visibility.
Museveni further asked what solutions were being put in place to solve the problem in areas outside the City.
But Baryamwisaki said that they are sensitizing the people outside the cities to install some street lights.
He also asked the police to explain how they can deal with criminals who are seen on CCTV cameras wearing the hoods.
In response, Baryamwisaki said that the criminals don’t normally wear hoods from where they come from, but closer to their targets/scene of crime.
In 2017, after the death of former Police Spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi. Museveni ordered police to install CCTV cameras across the country.
The 458 billion Shillngs project started in June 2018 when Huawei was contracted.
Since then, the Finance Ministry has released billions of shillings in different phases to roll out the project.
Museveni also asked about digital number plate project.
Jim Muhwezi the Security Minister who was present explained that they are working with the Ministry of Works and Transport and all security agencies including the police to roll out the project.
Initially the roll-out of the project was set for March, 1st. 2024, but was postponed to July 1st 2024, due to logistical challenges.
Muhwezi told Museveni that the investor was not ready but they had a meeting with the investor who said he is ready to roll it out.
President Museveni said he was excited about the digital number plates because of their potential to solve crime related problems.
He emphasized the need for technical solutions rather than relying on agent businesses.
He emphasized the need for technical solutions rather than relying on agent businesses.
Museveni also announced plans to build a digital data crime center and forensic center to ease the work on investigators.
In 2021, the Government signed an agreement, partnering with Russian Joint Stock Company “Global Security”, to deliver the Intelligence Transport Monitoring System -ITMS.
The project is intended to ease recognition of vehicles used by criminals to carry out crimes in the country to enable quick and timely response by the Security Agencies.
However, towards the roll out date of the project on July, 1st 2023, the business community petitioned Parliament to halt the exercise citing lack of enough public sensitization and readiness of the public, and also proposed that the exercise begin with fitment of registration plates on government vehicles.
A few months ago, Muhwezi said due to logistical issues on the side of the service provider, partly caused by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, an extension was made to November 1st 2024 starting with the fitting of new registration plates to Government Vehicles.
As of June 2024, records indicate that 1,091 vehicles from various ministries had been fitted with the new registration plates falling short of the required numbers due to persistent logistical challenges which are slowly being resolved. Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies are estimated to have over 25,200 motor vehicles.
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