Contract Controversy: Muhwezi and Otafiire Lock Horns Over Digital Number Plates Deal

A recent dispute between two high-ranking ministers in Uganda, Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi and Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, has highlighted a divide within the government over the Digital Number Plates installation project.

Internal Affairs Minister Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire expressed concerns during a parliamentary committee session, revealing that he had no prior knowledge of the project and had not met with representatives from the Russian firm, Joint Stock Company Global Security, which was contracted to execute the initiative, as by the report from our News Reporter, Canary Mugume.

In response, Security Minister Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi criticized his colleague, expressing disappointment that Otafiire appeared before the committee without conducting even basic inquiries about the project.

Muhwezi clarified that the contract permitting the Russian firm’s involvement was signed by the Office of the President, the Ministry of Works and Transport, with the Ministry of Internal Affairs acting as an implementing ministry through the Uganda Police.

However, experts have raised concerns about the lack of coordination among the three ministries involved – Transport, Internal Affairs, and Security. This lack of harmonization could potentially lead to financial losses and security risks, as sensitive data may be vulnerable to foreign entities.

Maj Gen Muhwezi emphasized that the Ugandan government has not invested any funds into the controversial project.

VIDEO: Security Minister Maj. Gen. @jkmuhwezi has lashed out at his fellow Minister, Maj. Gen. @otafiire_k of Internal Affairs for telling the Parliamentary Committee that he did not have information on the digital number plates installation project.@CanaryMugume#NBSUpdates pic.twitter.com/2QsFrOp6E9

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