KAMPALA, Uganda- In a major stride toward improving road safety, insurance transparency, and cross-border travel facilitation, Uganda Reinsurance Company (UgandaRe), in partnership with the COMESA Secretariat, has officially launched the COMESA Yellow Card USSD Verification App in Uganda.
The launch took place at Skyz Hotel in Kampala, attracting stakeholders from across the insurance, transport, and enforcement sectors.
This USSD-powered verification platform, accessible via 2848070# on both MTN and Airtel networks, allows for real-time, offline verification of COMESA Yellow Card insurance by simply entering a vehicle’s registration number—without needing internet access.
Ronald Musoke, CEO of Uganda Reinsurance and head of the COMESA National Bureau in Uganda, explained the motivation behind the innovation.
“We came up with this because previously, the enforcers who are the traffic police needed to use a QR code to verify the authenticity of the COMESA Yellow Card. But that required internet, which not everyone has. So we developed a simple, cost-free USSD solution. Just enter the vehicle’s registration number and it will confirm if a valid Yellow Card exists and in which countries it applies.”
He emphasized that the tool enhances regional claims facilitation for vehicles crossing COMESA borders.
“When you’re moving from Uganda to another COMESA country, your local third-party insurance must be extended using the Yellow Card. If there’s an accident, you should be compensated. Likewise, if a foreign vehicle causes an accident in Uganda, we as the National Bureau assist in processing the claim.”
Representing the Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda (IRA), Sunday Protazio, Director of Strategy and Market Development, praised the innovation for strengthening trust in the insurance sector.
“This is a great leap forward. In the past, verifying the authenticity of a COMESA Yellow Card was very difficult. Now, even with a basic ‘kabiriti’ phone, one can dial a code and know whether the insurance is valid, expired, or nonexistent.”
He added that the solution not only empowers enforcement officers but also protects consumers:
“Now the consumer can check before paying whether the sticker is legitimate. This enables both the supply and demand side of the insurance sector.”
@COMESA_HQ Launches COMESA Yellow Card USSD Verification App in Uganda!
A major milestone in cross-border road safety & insurance enforcement, the new COMESA Yellow Card Third Party USSD Verification Application is now live in Uganda!This tool empowers the @PoliceUg to… pic.twitter.com/N7jtBcnKhV
— Uganda Re (@uganda_re) July 1, 2025
ACP Norman Musinga, Acting Deputy Director of the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, hailed the system as a game changer for law enforcement.
“This initiative will make our work much easier. Previously, it was hard to tell if a Yellow Card sticker was forged. But now, even the police officers in the field can verify instantly using their phones no internet needed.”
He also issued a stern warning to motorists. “To drivers who may have forged stickers, I urge you to go and get genuine ones. The law will take its course. Uganda is moving forward we must all comply with the law,” he said.
William Busuulwa, Chairman of the Uganda National Transport Alliance, also endorsed the innovation, highlighting the practical benefits for long-distance transporters:
“This initiative will save us time and costs. Previously, verifying a COMESA Yellow Card especially when it expired mid-transit was difficult. Drivers would often resort to buying fake cards. Now, verification is instant and secure,” he said.
The COMESA Yellow Card allows motorists to be covered under a single insurance policy valid across multiple countries. Uganda, as a member, facilitates both outbound and inbound claims under this scheme through the National Bureau located in Kololo, Kampala.
