Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed grave concerns about a recent development in Uganda. The government has implemented a new vehicle tracking system that permits real-time monitoring of all vehicles in the country, potentially threatening citizens’ privacy rights, as well as their rights to freedom of expression and association. There are concerns that this is an example of unchecked mass surveillance that stifles the rights of Ugandans. (full story here).
In an official announcement, Uganda introduced the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) to help decrease vehicle theft, enhance road safety, and assist in the identification of criminals or traffic violators swiftly. Pivotal to its functioning is a new license plate technology that works in conjunction with current surveillance camera networks and mandated cell-phone registration systems to procure real-time data on vehicle locations and their corresponding owner identifications.
However, HRW argues that this ITMS implementation contravenes the conveyed rights under Chapter Four, Article 27 of the Republic of Uganda’s Constitution to protect the privacy of its citizens. It states that no individual should be subjected to privy intrusion concerning their home, correspondence, communication, or any additional property. The situation is further compounded by the revelation that a Russia-based company is charged with managing the system.
HRW further contended that the system has potential infringements on freedom of expression and association, protections also secured under Chapter Four, Article 29 of the constitution. Previously, surveillance systems were reportedly used to monitor, apprehend, and unlawfully detain vocal critics of the government.
A cautious note is the recent motion to halt its implementation was dismissed in June by Uganda’s Court of Appeal. The court rejected this motion, attributed to the rule-of-law-focused non-profit Legal Brain Trust, due to perceived failure to establish any “irreparable damage” due to the system’s introduction.
It’s interesting to note that ITMS is part of Uganda’s 9 Point Strategy to alleviate insecurity, which also encompasses policies such as “fingerprinting” all firearms, prohibiting cyclists from wearing hoodies, and creating a national DNA database. Several elements of these measures, however, have been ruled out by the Uganda Constitutional Court as unconstitutional responses to security threats. For instance, in January, it declared a portion of Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act unconstitutional.