Business magnate and Honorary Consul of Nepal to Uganda, Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, has become one of the first prominent figures in the country to acquire the new digital number plate for his official consular vehicle, marking a significant milestone in Uganda’s Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) rollout.
The white Lexus SUV belonging to Dr. Ruparelia was recently spotted in Kampala bearing the digital consular plate “HC 151 001 U”, complete with the new electronic tag introduced by the Ministry of Works and Transport in partnership with Joint Stock Company Global Security.
The high-tech number plates are part of Uganda’s broader initiative to modernize its transport monitoring systems and strengthen road safety and security. Under the ITMS project, every vehicle in the country will eventually be fitted with a plate embedded with a digital chip capable of real-time tracking and data storage.
According to the Ministry of Works, the system is designed to curb vehicle theft, enhance law enforcement, and improve traffic management by allowing authorities to monitor vehicle movements across the country through an integrated digital network.
“This development represents a major step towards a smarter and safer road transport system in Uganda,” a source within the Ministry said, adding that high-profile government officials and diplomats are among the first adopters as part of the pilot phase.
The digital number plate project was first announced in 2021 and has since undergone several phases of implementation, including testing, registration, and installation for selected vehicles. Once fully operational, the system will connect with security and transport databases, allowing for quicker vehicle identification and incident response.
Dr. Ruparelia’s early adoption of the technology is seen as a strong endorsement of the government’s modernization agenda. As a businessman with one of the largest corporate empires in the country—the Ruparelia Group—his embrace of innovation aligns with his public reputation as a forward-looking entrepreneur and diplomat.
Besides enhancing security, the system is expected to reduce forgery and misuse of number plates, a problem that has long challenged traffic police and intelligence agencies. Each digital plate will be uniquely encrypted and difficult to duplicate, ensuring authenticity and traceability.
The government plans to extend the rollout to all vehicle owners in phases, starting with government fleets, diplomatic corps, and corporate entities before reaching the general public.
As Uganda edges closer to full implementation of the digital transport network, stakeholders are hopeful that the initiative will not only improve security but also streamline vehicle management, ushering in a new era of smart mobility.
