Some car bond operators in Kampala are charging motorists as much as Shs 2 million for transactions involving digital number plates, despite the gazetted fee for a digital number plate being Shs 714,300.A review of receipts issued by different car bond operators and intermediaries has revealed wide variations in charges, with some payments substantially exceeding the official government fees.While charges above the gazetted fees do not, on their own, establish wrongdoing, the lack of itemised explanations for some of the additional amounts raises questions about what motorists are paying for.For example, a receipt issued by Transedge Interfreight Holdings Co. Ltd to Faida Pamela, dated September 3, 2026, records a payment of Shs 1.485 million under the description: “Taxes + DPC plates + clearance.”The receipt does not provide an itemised breakdown of the charges. Based on information reviewed during the market research, taxes and clearance-related charges applicable to the transaction should have amounted to approximately Shs 200,000, leaving an unexplained difference of about Shs 570,700 above the Shs 714,300 digital number plate fee.The additional amount could include private service fees, but officials say such charges should be clearly identified and itemised so that customers understand what they are paying for.Another cash acknowledgement receipt issued by Khams Works Limited records a payment of Shs 2.1 million.The handwritten description appears to refer to a motorcycle-related transaction, but the receipt does not provide an itemised breakdown showing the services provided or the official charges included in the amount.A separate receipt issued by Yuku Shipping and Logistics Ltd records a payment of Shs 1.98 million, also in connection with a motorcycle registration transaction.The receipt does not specify how much was paid for registration, the number plate, government charges, clearance or private intermediary services. For a boda boda rider, such unexplained charges could represent a significant financial burden.Officials warn against overchargingWinstone Katushabe, the commissioner in charge of transport and road safety, who recently conducted a field inspection of car bond operators with Uganda Police, warned intermediaries against overcharging motorists.Katushabe said any private service fees charged by intermediaries should be clearly distinguished from official government charges and properly itemised.He stressed that motorists should not be made to pay more than the gazetted Shs 714,300 fee for the digital number plate itself.The Anti-Corruption Hotline has also been established for motorists to report suspected corruption, demands for informal payments and other irregularities. The hotline is +256 326 88530.Track applications onlineThe ministry of Works and Transport has also established the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) portal to enable motorists to track their applications and establish which agency is handling them at each stage.Motorists can also use the ministry’s hotline, 0200 420 000, for assistance. Katushabe said some delays experienced by motorists may be caused by incorrectly completed customs declarations or other documentation problems rather than the digital number plate process itself.The ministry has urged motorists to scrutinise receipts and demand clear explanations for any charges beyond the official government fees.The post Exposed: Motorists charged more than double for digital number plates appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.