From Asphalt to Algorithm: Digital Number Plates and the Transformation of Transport Governance, Road Safety, Security and Public Value in Uganda - A Systematic Review

Abstract

This systematic review examines the implementation and implications of digital number plate technology in Uganda's transport sector, analyzing how this technological intervention transforms governance mechanisms, road safety outcomes, security infrastructure, and public value creation. Through comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, and empirical studies published between 2015-2024, this paper synthesizes evidence on digital vehicle identification systems in developing country contexts, with specific focus on Uganda's Digital Number Plates (DNP) initiative launched in 2019. The review identifies critical gaps between technological promises and implementation realities, revealing tensions between surveillance capabilities and privacy rights, revenue generation and equity concerns, and modernization aspirations versus infrastructural constraints. Key findings indicate that while digital number plates offer significant potential for enhancing vehicle tracking, tax compliance, and security operations, their effectiveness depends critically on complementary digital infrastructure, institutional capacity, legal frameworks, and stakeholder acceptance. This research advances theoretical frameworks on algorithmic governance, digitalization of public services, and technology adoption in Global South contexts, while offering practical insights for optimizing digital number plate systems to maximize public value while minimizing potential harms.