Taxi drivers join KACITA to challenge charges on new digital number plates

By Charles Katabalwa

22^nd June 2023

Taxi drivers have backed traders under the Kampala City Traders Association-KACITA in demanding a reduction of the planned charges of the new digital number plates that the government intends to roll out.

On Wednesday, the KACITA Chairman, Thaddeus Nagenda Musoke blamed the government for the rushed decision to implement digital number plates.

Government is set to roll out digital number plates with each car owner set to pay shs735,000 for a digital number plate that will replace the current ones effective of July 2023 according to the February 15^th circular issued by the Secretary for Treasury and Finance Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ramadhan Ggoobi.

Nagenda suggested that the cost of the number plates should not exceed shs200,000 for a new one on motor vehicles and shs130,000 for motorcycles and replacement fee maintained at Sh50,000 for all categories.

While talking to our reporter in Kampala, Muhammad Ssempijja, a taxi driver and leader at Namayiba Taxi Park said that they welcome the project of digital number plates but at a minimal price as advocated by traders on Wednesday.

Ssempijja adds that the Government should at least revise and excuse motor vehicles already in service with old number plates not to pay the 735,000 shillings but instead those intending to get new vehicles to pay the charge.