Lawyer Male Mabirizi has sued the government following her recent agreement with Joint Stock Company Global Security, a Russian firm of installing tracking devices in all public and private vehicles and motorcycles in the country.
On Friday last week, the government through Permanent Secretaries for Ministry of Works and Ministry for Presidency signed a 10-year agreement with Joint Stock Company Global Security, a Russian firm for the implementation of the intelligent transport monitoring system a deal that will ensure all vehicles, motorcycles and boats installed with digital tracking devices.
However, Lawyer Mabirizi has today challenged the move that he said is illegal since it violates the right to privacy according to his petition.
It should be noted that Last month Mabirizi said that Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi illegally approved the move to have all vehicles and motorcycles installed with tracking devices as the project was handled Global Systems Company.
Gen. Muhwezi’s move however followed President’s directive to him being instructed to sort out the issue of installing tracking devices in boda boda and cars after attempted assassination of Transport and Works Minister Gen. Katumba Wamala which claimed the life of his daughter Brenda and his driver.
“Every vehicle and motorcycle must have a centralized digital monitor. If you try to remove it, we shall go for you. It will show us where you are at any one time. As soon as there is a crime, we go. I don’t want any wasting time in investigations,” Museveni said
“Every vehicle and motorcycle must have a centralized digital monitor. If you try to remove it, we shall go for you. It will show us where you are at any one time. As soon as there is a crime, we go. I don’t want any wasting time in investigations,” Museveni said
“He stated that they shall require every motorist and motorcyclist to have electronic number plates with an electronic signal in them – to be incurred at the cost of every owner. I know that cabinet acted outside its mandate to tamper with Ugandans’ right to privacy without an Act of Parliament from which we can be able to ascertain whether the limitations are demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society,”Mabirizi says according to the court documents.
He avers that is illegal and improper for cabinet to select a service provider for the project of installing digital tracking devices in all vehicles and motorcycles without going through the required procurement processes as laid down under Ugandan laws.
Mabirizi now wants court to intervene and reverse the cabinet decision regarding the installation of digital tracking devices in vehicles and motorcycles in Uganda.
This method according to the government is aimed at reducing increased criminality which target public officials and end up being killed by gunmen who always use boda boda during their attacks.