President Yoweri Museveni has expressed disappointment and demanded explanations regarding the non-functional CCTV cameras and the delayed rollout of the digital number plate project.

At the inaugural meeting between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and CID investigators, Museveni said he was initially enthusiastic about the CCTV project and its ability to solve a crime, only to be later informed that the cameras are ineffective at night.

He tasked the police director of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Felix Baryamwisaki, to clarify the issue.

“Baryamwisaki what is the problem with the cameras? Come and tell us here. Why are the cameras not seeing properly, for me, I was very excited with the cameras then later on I realised the cameras can only see during the day. I said yiiyii, but crime is not only committed during the day. So what is happening with the cameras?” asked Museveni.

Baryamwisaki attributed the problem to management challenges, which he assured were being resolved.

“Your Excellency, we implemented your project very well, and it did good work for Ugandans. But later, there were some major mishaps…it was a management issue that has been solved, and now we’re back online,” said Baryamwisaki.

Museveni also raised concerns about CCTV coverage outside the city centre. Baryamwisaki responded that people in the outskirts are being encouraged to install their own street lights to enhance night-time visibility. Additionally, the president inquired how police would handle criminals caught on CCTV wearing hoods. Baryamwisaki explained that criminals typically wear hoods as they approach their targets and not where they originate from.

The CCTV project, initiated after the 2017 murder of former police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi, was ordered by Museveni and cost Shs 458 billion. The project, managed by Huawei, began in June 2018, with billions of shillings released in phases to support the installation.

Museveni also pressed for updates on the digital number plate project. Security Minister Jim Muhwezi explained that they are collaborating with the Ministry of Works and Transport and various security agencies to roll out the project. Initially set for March 1, 2024, the launch was postponed to July 1, 2024, due to logistical challenges. Muhwezi assured Museveni that the investor is now ready for implementation.

Museveni expressed his excitement about the potential of digital number plates to address crime and emphasized the need for technical solutions. He announced plans to establish a digital crime and forensic data centre to assist investigators.

The government signed an agreement in 2021 with the Russian Joint Stock Company, Global Security, to develop an Intelligence Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) aimed at tracking vehicles used in criminal activities. However, as the July 2023 rollout approached, the business community petitioned parliament to delay the exercise, citing insufficient public sensitization and proposed that the exercise begins with the fitment of registration plates on government vehicles. 

The rollout was later postponed to November 1, 2024, due to logistical challenges, partly attributed to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. By June 2024, only 1,091 government vehicles had been fitted with the new number plates, significantly short of the target of 25,200 vehicles across ministries, departments, and agencies.