A Kampala businessman has cautioned motorists against paying ransom to criminals after he was defrauded in a number plate theft scheme, only to later have his plates officially replaced within an hour through government channels.
Enock Meddie Kayemba, proprietor of Medik Auto Spare Parts in Ndeeba, said thieves broke into his premises and stole his vehicle's number plates. Shortly afterwards, he received phone calls from unknown individuals demanding money in exchange for returning them.
"They asked for Shs320,000. I sent the money, and they only returned one plate. Later, they demanded more to release the second one," Enock said.
Believing that replacing number plates involved a long and complicated process, he initially complied. He said he had been advised that obtaining new plates required extensive procedures, which influenced his decision to pay.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
However, when the suspects demanded additional money, he shared his experience on social media.
Following the viral post, officials from the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) department under the Ministry of Works and Transport, working alongside the Uganda Police Force, contacted him and offered assistance.
Enock said the replacement process was completed within an hour.
"I presented the remaining plate, and they issued me new digital number plates at Shs 75,000, including installation," he said.
He added that with the introduction of digital number plates and enhanced tracking systems under the government's Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS), authorities are now better equipped to trace stolen plates and identify suspects.
In his case, because the stolen plates were digital, police were able to track the suspect and recover the old plates, demonstrating the effectiveness of the upgraded system.
Enock urged motorists whose number plates are stolen to report immediately to the relevant authorities instead of negotiating with criminals.
"If your number plates are taken, report to the right offices. Do not negotiate with criminals," he advised.
Official replacement procedure
An MVR official explained that there is a structured process for replacing lost or stolen number plates. The first step is to file a police report so the case is formally recorded.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
After reporting to police, the vehicle owner must publish a notice in a newspaper for five to seven days. This allows anyone who may have recovered the missing plate to return it and prevents duplicate plates bearing the same registration number from circulating simultaneously.
"If a duplicate is issued while the original is still in circulation, it creates administrative and security challenges. That is why the public notice is essential," the official said.
If the advert period expires without recovery, the owner may apply for a duplicate through the online portal of the Uganda Revenue Authority. The duplicate service costs approximately Shs 49,000 and can be paid electronically.
At MVR, exchanging old analogue plates for new digital ones costs Shs 150,000 for a pair, while replacing an existing digital plate with another digital plate costs Shs 75,000.
Once payment is completed, the applicant coordinates with Motor Vehicle Registration officials and presents the vehicle on the scheduled date for installation.
Rising number plate theft cases
Authorities say cases of criminals removing number plates at night and later demanding ransom are increasing, with some victims reportedly paying up to Shs 300,000.
The Ministry of Works has since warned motorists against paying bribes or ransom to criminals and advised them to apply for official duplicate number plates through the prescribed procedures.
According to 2025 statistics from the Uganda Police Force, 56 stolen cars and 28 motorcycles were recovered using upgraded smart tracking systems, reflecting a 75 percent recovery rate -- a sign, officials say, that technology is strengthening vehicle-related crime investigations.
