By Robert Segawa
The Traffic and Road Safety Directorate has intensified operations against dangerous vehicle overloading as part of efforts to reduce road crashes across the country.
Eleven taxi drivers were arrested during a night operation at the Maya checkpoint along the Kampala–Masaka Highway for allegedly engaging in dangerous loading.
According to the Traffic and Road Safety Directorate, many offenders deliberately travel at night in an attempt to evade traffic checkpoints. However, intelligence-led operations enabled officers to intercept and detain the suspects. They are expected to be arraigned in court to answer charges under the Road Safety Act, Cap. 347.
Traffic and Road Safety spokesperson Michael Kananura said dangerous loading remains one of the most common traffic offences, particularly during the night when some drivers wrongly assume enforcement is minimal.
“We wish to send a clear warning to all motorists engaged in this illegal practice that we have started a crackdown against dangerous loading, and anyone found violating the law will be arrested and prosecuted,” Kananura said.
He explained that every vehicle is designed and licensed to carry a specific number of passengers. Exceeding that limit or placing excessive loads inside or on top of a passenger vehicle alters its centre of gravity, making it unstable.
“This significantly increases the risk of tyre bursts, loss of control, vehicles running off the road, or overturning, often resulting in serious injuries or loss of life,” he said.
Kananura urged drivers, vehicle owners, and transport operators to comply with traffic regulations by carrying only the authorised number of passengers and ensuring their vehicles are operated safely at all times.
“No journey is worth risking human life. We therefore urge all drivers, vehicle owners and operators to comply with the law by carrying only the authorised number of passengers and ensuring their vehicles are used safely at all times,” he added.
