President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has summoned the Minister for Internal Affairs, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, over his skeptical stance regarding the digital number plate deal. The meeting between President Museveni, Minister Otafiire, and Deputy Inspector General of Police Maj. Tumusiime Kasigazi took place on Tuesday night, during which the president clarified the implementation of the digital number plate project.

Minister Otafiire had expressed reservations about the digital number plate deal, questioning the credibility of the Russian firm contracted for the project. He referred to the company as a “briefcase company” and stated that it lacked the capacity to execute the project. Otafiire’s concerns were further supported by a parliamentary committee that visited the company’s premises and found no progress in the project.

The digital number plate project aims to replace traditional number plates with technologically advanced plates that come at an estimated cost of UGX 750,000 each, significantly higher than the current price of 150,000 shillings.

Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, a fellow security member and comrade from their bush war days, criticized Otafiire’s comments and expressed disappointment over what he referred to as “ignorance.”

President Museveni’s summoning of Minister Otafiire suggests efforts to address concerns within the government and ensure clarity on the digital number plate project’s execution.