The Uganda Russia surveillance deal, signed on July 23, has stirred nationwide controversy. Uganda awarded a 10-year contract to Moscow-based Joint Stock Company Global Security. This Russian firm will install tracking systems on all Ugandan vehicles, motorcycles, and boats. Despite the contractor’s financial troubles, government officials insist the project will move forward without issues.
Uganda’s move comes after years of unsolved crimes involving boda-bodas, the country’s most common form of urban transport. Armed attackers often use these motorcycles to escape after assassinations. Police have struggled to track suspects, leading to public frustration. Regular riders also face danger from criminals who steal their motorcycles and, in many cases, kill them.
Through this Uganda Russia surveillance deal, the government plans to re-register all boda-bodas, cars, and boats. It will install GPS trackers that alert officials when someone tampers with a license plate or moves suspiciously. Owners must cover the costs, including a UGX20,000 ($5) tracker fee and charges for new plates. The government and Joint Stock will split all revenue generated by the system.
Civil rights groups warn that the new surveillance system poses serious privacy risks. Boda-bodas transport millions of people daily, making them a key part of Uganda’s economy. Tracking their movements allows the state to gather detailed data on individuals. Activist Lynette Akankwatsa says GPS surveillance gives the government power to monitor political and personal activity, which could limit free expression.
Her fears are not unfounded. In 2021, Ugandan authorities used Huawei surveillance cameras to crack down on protesters and opposition candidates during elections. Despite many installed cameras, the police often failed to produce critical footage, especially when security forces were involved in abuses. Many suspect intentional cover-ups.
President Museveni has long relied on technology to control dissent. He promoted drones, facial recognition, and even banned hoodies for riders. However, these measures have done little to reduce crime. Instead, they seem aimed at increasing state control. Critics believe the Uganda Russia surveillance deal will continue this trend.
The contractor’s history adds to the public’s concern. Between 2019 and 2021, Joint Stock Company Global Security faced at least seven lawsuits in Russia. These include a $225,000 claim by Rus Prom-Technologies and a pending bankruptcy case. Other lawsuits involve debts totaling over $900,000. The company doesn’t manufacture its own equipment and works as a broker. It also lacks any verified contact information or public statements about the Uganda deal.
Despite this, Ugandan officials say they are not worried. But critics argue the government failed to do proper background checks. This fits a pattern in Uganda’s history of poor procurement practices. In 1997, officials bought four unusable helicopters from Belarus. General Salim Saleh, President Museveni’s brother, admitted his role in that scandal but continued serving in senior government roles.
Security Minister Jim Muhwezi, who oversees this deal, also carries a history of misconduct. Uganda’s Parliament once censured him for abuse of office, failure to explain his wealth, and breaking military rules. His leadership raises further doubts about the deal’s transparency.
The Uganda Russia surveillance deal is now a flashpoint in the broader struggle for civil liberties in Uganda. Once the trackers go live, citizens will find it harder to challenge authority without fear of state surveillance. Legal challenges are already underway, but their success remains uncertain. Many fear that unchecked surveillance will only tighten the government’s grip on power.
For a country with rising unemployment and growing political unrest, the priority should be reform and dialogue—not more tracking devices. Unless citizens act, this deal may quietly erode their freedoms, one GPS signal at a time.
