The Russian firm contracted to install tracking devices in motor vehicles and motorcycles will manufacture the devices within Uganda.
This was disclosed by Noah Baalessanvu, an official who was part of the team that conducted the due diligence in Russia before Uganda entered into an agreement with the Russian firm, Joint Stock Company Global Security.
In July last year, the government signed a 10-year contract with the firm to provide digital vehicle trackers for motor vehicles and motorcycles in a bid to curb insecurity.
The proposal was first introduced by President Museveni in his 10-point security measure in the wake of gun violence in the country that saw several Ugandans killed in 2018.
Now as two ministers of Security and Works interfaced with the parliament committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, members were told that although the services will be provided by a Russian company, all the devices will be made in the country.
This followed concerns from the petitioner, Sarah Opendi, the Tororo District Woman MP who said that there was no due diligence done before the services of the Russian company were procured.
The minister for Security, Gen Jim Muhwezi told the committee that every process followed was technical and effectively done.
During the meeting, the government tabled the agreement between the Russian company and Uganda, company profile, articles and memoranda of association of the company and registration certificate of the company in Uganda.
However, Gen. Katumba Wamala asked the MPs not to duplicate or share copies of the documents saying as the government of Uganda, they signed a non-disclosure agreement.
Meanwhile, several MPs raised concerns about the failure to follow the procurement processes, issues to do with privacy and who should incur the costs of installing the trackers.
Whereas Muhwezi insisted that Ugandans should pay for the service as they have already been paying for number plates, insurance and import taxes on vehicles, Opendi said that this should be incurred by the government which is in charge of the security of the country.
