What do you know about Ugandan number plates? A quick guide

For years, both several Government and privately owned vehicles have violated traffic rules, went ahead to engage in hit and run accidents as well some being used for their rightful purposes. Can you ably identify who own(individual or entity) a certain vehicle is attached to incase you get into trouble? We now want to take you through the several number/licence plates used in Uganda and their respective attachments.

The Government; The Government just like an individual is an operating entity entitled to own assets and among these are vehicles, machinery and wagons attached to their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies. They are issued by the Ministry of Works and Transport.

A- Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, B- Electoral Commission & Human Rights Commission, C- Office of the President/ State House of Uganda, D- Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, E- Ministry of Education and Sports, F- Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, G-Ministry of Internal Affairs, H- Parliament of Uganda/ Office of the Auditor General, I- Ministry of Ministry of East African Community Affairs, J- Ministry of Judiciary and Constitutional Affairs, K- Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, L- Ministry of Lands and Urban Housing, M- Ministry of Health, N- Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, O- The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Q- Ministry of Public Service, R- Ministry of Local Government, S- Ministry of Water and Environment, T-  Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, U- Uganda Prisons Service, W- Ministry of Works and Transport X- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Y- Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Z- Office of the Prime Minister

All statutory (established by an Act of parliament) motorcycles & motorized tricycles, motor Vehicles (Including Engineering plants) use a number plate with a white colour for characters, Blue for background). Examples of these entities includes URA, UNRA, Uganda Free Zones Authority, UCC etc

Security Forces; the UPDF and the Uganda Police Force. The security apparatus is also assigned unique number plates to differentiate them from the general public and enable easy identification of vehicles. The army number plates are issued by the Military Licensing Board.  

Privately owned; This category has several number plates starting from those owned by individuals to privately owned entities. In this category; cars and motorcycles for entirely personal use are issued with plates having black characters and white background for front and black characters and yellow background for the rear.

However, engineering plants & agricultural tractors are issued with number plates that have red characters and blue background for both front and rear.

Furthermore, returning residents and business or individuals deemed to be of national importance are issued with number plates bearing white characters against a red background. These are duty free that is tax exempted. For instance tours and travel businesses, racing vehicles, non- government organizations and more.

Personalized/Customalized number plates are those where an individual is given choice to change the characters at a cost. These are normally driven by highly affluent citizens. One has up to nine characters to customize.

Country Diplomats and Consulars; High commissions, embassies and consulates are issued with number plates of a white background and blue characters for both rear and front plates.

Lastly, these are unusual and hard to find but occasionally offered to persons who own; vehicle bonds, Garages etc and motor vehicle dealers a whole. It looks almost similar to those issued to Government entities