In one instance, the overcrowding was so extreme that a man was forced to carry a woman he did not know while inside the vehicle.
Traffic Police have arrested a driver accused of dangerously loading a seven-seater vehicle with 15 passengers and evading police checkpoints.
According to the Traffic Police spokesperson, Michael Kananura, the driver was tracked through intelligence after operating a vehicle carrying far beyond its permitted passenger capacity.
Kananura said the vehicle registration number UA 261 AF, which is legally allowed to carry seven passengers, was found transporting 15 people. In one instance, the overcrowding was so extreme that a man was forced to carry a woman he did not know while inside the vehicle.
He noted that despite the risky situation, passengers appeared comfortable and did not raise concerns or alert authorities about the unsafe conditions. Instead, many squeezed themselves into dangerous positions, ignoring the clear risk to their lives.
The driver allegedly attempted to dodge several police checkpoints while operating the overloaded vehicle.
However, Traffic Police later tracked him down through intelligence operations and he is now in custody awaiting arraignment in court to face multiple traffic-related charges.
Kananura reminded the public that road safety is a shared responsibility between drivers and passengers.
“As we urge drivers to act responsibly, passengers must also speak out. Accepting to travel in an overloaded vehicle puts every life at risk,” he said.
He added that passengers should refuse to board unsafe vehicles and report reckless drivers, noting that speaking out can help prevent accidents and save lives.
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