JINJA, UGANDA – Traffic Police have confirmed the detention of the driver of a Toyota Coaster (Reg No. UBP 991U), following its interception for severe overloading on the Jinja New Nile Bridge late last night.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The vehicle, en route from Pallisa to Kampala, was stopped at the Jinja New Nile Bridge checkpoint after a swift response by authorities to a complaint lodged by a concerned passenger onboard.
According to Mr. Michael Kananura, the Traffic Police Spokesperson, the operation was triggered by a direct alert from a concerned individual traveling inside the vehicle, who reported the dangerous conditions to the police.
“Upon inspection, it was discovered that extra chairs had been placed in the aisle of the vehicle, where passengers in excess of the allowed capacity were seated, posing a serious risk to road safety,” stated Michael Kananura.
Photographs from the scene, later shared by police, revealed a blatant violation of safety protocols, with the aisle of the coaster completely blocked by makeshift seating, compromising emergency exits and significantly increasing the risk of injury or fatality in the event of an accident.
The driver was immediately taken into custody, and the vehicle was impounded as authorities began the process of safely offloading the excess passengers.
The operator now faces charges for overloading, reckless driving, and endangering lives, while Spokesperson Kananura emphasized the critical role of public vigilance in maintaining road safety.
“This incident reminds us that road safety is a collective responsibility. We commend the individual who reported the matter and we urge all passengers and members of the public to continue playing an active role in ensuring safety on our roads,” Kananura added.
The police have encouraged the public to use official emergency hotlines to report similar incidents of dangerous driving, overloading, or any other activity that threatens road safety.
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