In a recent parliamentary session, the Internal Affairs Minister, Gen Kahinda Otafiire, revealed that he had previously cautioned President Yoweri Museveni about the digital number plates deal involving Russian company M/S Joint Stock Company Global Security. However, his warning letter went unanswered.
Gen Otafiire conveyed that he had proposed that the Russian company collaborate with the existing local number plate manufacturers in Uganda, suggesting the integration of their technology with locally produced plates. He emphasized the potential insensitivity of shutting down local manufacturing in favor of importing plates.
Regrettably, he never received a response to his communication and expressed doubt about whether the President had even received the message.
The revelation came as Gen Otafiire appeared before the Physical Infrastructure committee of parliament to discuss the progress of the digital number plate project's implementation.
During the session, the Minister informed the committee that a benchmark report from the police indicated that the digital system offered by the Russian company had not been adopted in any other country globally. He further debunked the claims by the company that the number plates would be printed in Poland, deeming such assertions untenable.
"The first time I got to know about this project other than from the press was when Mr. Wavamuno (Gordon) wrote to me complaining about the shutdown of his business in favor of Joint Stock and was suggesting they could work jointly." Gen Otafiire disclosed
The concerns raised by Gen Otafiire shed light on potential shortcomings and questions surrounding the Russian company's involvement in the digital number plate initiative. As debates continue in parliament and public scrutiny intensifies, the fate of the project remains uncertain.
