The government last year unveiled the Uganda Security Printing Company (USPC) as the new company that will start issuing driving permits in Uganda.
The Ministry of Works and Transport has made it clear that the new driving permits will be designed, manufactured and printed from within Uganda.
Previously, a South African firm has been in charge of doing the exercise of printing these permits however, following the end of their contract, the government last year unveiled the Uganda Security Printing Company (USPC) as the new company that will start issuing driving permits in Uganda.
While addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Wednesday, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, the Minister for Works disclosed that the new company will kickstart the new duties from March, 01.
Katumba said that the USPC among others will be responsible for manufacturing, designing and issuance of the driving Permits.
He noted with concern that all the software coupled with coding and licensing is managed and made by the government of Uganda.
The Minister who begged the general public to adhere to the new changes said that the country is moving into a system that is more sophisticated and allows for the issuance of the new licences that are internationally recognised.
“It is important to note that we are moving from the current Uganda Computerized Driving System to the Uganda Driving Licences System which is more sophisticated and allows for issuance of the new driving licences that are more internationally recognized,” the minister told.
“Drivers with the new driving permits will be able to drive through any of the member countries with less restriction. The new driving permit designs will take into consideration International Organization for Standardization requirements and the Tripartite Transport and Transit Facilitation Program(TTFP) which is aimed that having a harmonized card for three regional locks including the East African Community, SADC and COMESA.”
Also, he indicated that the new system has been computerised to deter any form of forgery. Katumba further revealed that the permits will have a five-year validity term.
“The new driving permits in addition to the existing one-year and three years validity will also have a five-year validity regime this will be a big relief to drivers to reduce on the frequent visits and expenditure in renewing the permits,” Katumba added.
“The system has also been tightly integrated with the Police systems for easy verification and issuance of express penalties by the traffic police gadgets at various checkpoints.”
 as the new company that will start issuing driving permits in Uganda.){kind=link}