More than 9,450 motorists were caught loading excess passengers in the first half of 2025, highlighting the growing danger of overcrowded vehicles on the roads.
Traffic Police say the practice remains one of the most common offences committed by public transport operators. While speaking to Nile Post in an interview, Police Traffic Spokesperson Michael Kananura explained the risks and legal implications of the vice, noting that overloading passengers in public transport vehicles continues to pose a serious threat to road safety across Uganda, with thousands of drivers cited for the offence every year.
He warned that the practice not only violates traffic laws but also increases the likelihood of fatal crashes.
Excerpts
Recently there has been a lot of concern about vehicles carrying passengers in excess. What exactly does that mean in the context of road safety?
When we talk about loading excess passengers, we are referring to situations where vehicles that are meant to transport a specific number of people end up carrying more than what the law allows. Every vehicle has a designated capacity determined by the manufacturer and recognized by law. When drivers exceed that limit, they are violating road safety regulations and putting lives at risk.
For example, when you look at buses, you will often find people standing in the corridors or even sitting on improvised chairs placed between seats. In some cases, operators deliberately install extra seats in the aisle so they can carry more passengers. That practice is illegal. Those spaces are not meant for passengers because they block movement and can become extremely dangerous in case of an emergency or sudden braking.
The same problem exists with omnibuses, which are commonly used in public transport. If an omnibus is licensed to carry 14 passengers, you may find operators loading 18 or even 19 people. This clearly goes beyond the allowed capacity. The issue does not only affect buses and taxis; even private vehicles are sometimes involved. You may find a vehicle designed to carry five passengers transporting nine or ten people. That is also a violation of the law.
When you look at the vehicle’s insurance or registration details, they clearly indicate the number of passengers that the vehicle is supposed to carry. That is the number recognized by the law. So, whenever a driver exceeds that number, they are breaking road safety regulations.
What specific offences do drivers commit when they carry excess passengers?
The offence varies depending on the type of vehicle involved. For large public service vehicles such as buses and omnibuses, they operate under what is called an operator’s license. This license authorizes them to transport passengers under specific conditions, including the maximum number of people allowed in the vehicle.
When a bus or omnibus carries more passengers than its licensed capacity, that becomes a breach of the operator’s license. In other words, the operator is violating the conditions under which they were allowed to provide transport services. That is a serious offence because public service vehicles are expected to comply strictly with safety regulations.
For smaller vehicles, the offence may fall under what we call interference with safe driving. Imagine a small car that is supposed to carry five passengers but ends up with eight or nine people inside. Some may sit in the front seat while others are squeezed behind. In that situation, the driver cannot properly control the vehicle. Their movement becomes restricted, visibility is affected, and they may not be able to use mirrors properly. All these factors interfere with safe driving.
In such cases, traffic officers issue penalties depending on the nature of the offence. For instance, breach of an operator’s license for buses and omnibuses attracts a fine of about Shs200,000. For smaller vehicles where safe driving is compromised, the offence carries a fine of about Shs100,000.
Besides passengers, does overloading also apply to luggage?
Yes, it does. Overloading is not limited to passengers alone. Sometimes vehicles carry passengers within the permitted limit but add excessive luggage, which can also create serious safety risks.
In many communities, especially rural areas, vehicles transport both people and goods at the same time. You may see passengers inside while bags, boxes, or other items are loaded on top of the vehicle. Vehicles are designed with specific loading points or carriers where luggage can be placed. However, some drivers exceed those limits and stack items beyond what the vehicle can safely handle.
This creates what we call dangerous loading. Dangerous loading occurs when the way cargo is arranged on a vehicle exposes danger to passengers or other road users. For example, heavy items may fall off the vehicle or destabilize it while in motion.
There is also another concept called overloading, which is usually monitored at weighbridges. This mainly applies to trucks and heavy vehicles transporting goods. Weighbridges measure the total weight carried by the vehicle to ensure it does not exceed legal limits. However, on the road, traffic officers mostly deal with dangerous loading because it is visible and poses an immediate risk.
What measures are the traffic police taking to address this problem?
Addressing excess passenger loading is part of our daily enforcement activities. As traffic police, we conduct routine operations across the country to identify and penalize offenders.
Currently, we are implementing the second phase of our Arrive Alive road safety campaign. This initiative focuses on reducing road crashes by enforcing traffic laws and encouraging responsible behavior among road users. One of the key issues we are targeting is vehicles carrying passengers in excess.
During these operations, we use different methods depending on the situation. Some drivers are issued instant tickets requiring them to pay fines immediately. Others are taken to court if the offence is serious or repeated. In certain cases, especially for first-time offenders, drivers may receive warnings. However, once someone has been warned and continues committing the same offence, we take stricter action.
The goal is not simply to punish people but to ensure that road users understand the dangers involved and comply with the law.
What challenges do you face in enforcing these regulations?
One of the biggest challenges is that traffic officers cannot be everywhere at the same time. Uganda has an extensive road network, and it is impossible to deploy officers at every single location.
Because of this, some drivers take advantage of areas where traffic officers are not present. They deliberately overload passengers in those locations, knowing that enforcement may be limited.
Another trick that drivers use is offloading excess passengers before reaching checkpoints. When they know a checkpoint is ahead, they ask passengers to get off the vehicle and use motorcycles to bypass the checkpoint. After passing the checkpoint, the driver picks them up again. This is a common tactic used to evade enforcement.
Unfortunately, some drivers prioritize profit over safety. We have even printed road safety stickers with messages reminding drivers that lives are more important than money. Yet some operators still focus on maximizing earnings by squeezing as many passengers as possible into their vehicles.
What role should passengers play in preventing this problem?
Road safety is a shared responsibility. It is not the responsibility of the traffic police alone. Passengers also have a crucial role to play.
If you see a vehicle that is already overloaded, you should refuse to board it. By accepting to travel in such a vehicle, you are putting your own life at risk. Some passengers even pay money to board motorcycles temporarily just to bypass checkpoints and rejoin the vehicle later. That kind of behavior undermines our efforts to enforce the law.
Passengers must understand that they have the power to influence driver behavior. If passengers refuse to board overloaded vehicles, drivers will have no choice but to comply with the law.
Have members of the public helped traffic police in reporting such cases?
Yes, some members of the public have been very helpful. Many people now use social media platforms to share information about vehicles carrying excess passengers. They post photos, vehicle registration numbers, and details of where the incident occurred.
Whenever we receive such information, we follow up on it. Social media posts can serve as evidence during investigations. Using that information, we have successfully tracked down and charged several offenders.
However, not everyone participates. Some people believe reporting such issues is not their responsibility, so they remain silent. If more citizens actively shared information, it would greatly strengthen our enforcement efforts.
Do you have any statistics on how widespread the problem is?
Yes, we keep detailed records of traffic offences throughout the year. According to our half-year report for 2025, we recorded about 9,450 offenders who were caught loading passengers in excess.
That is already a significant number for just half a year. If the trend continues, we may reach around 18,000 cases or even more by the end of the year. This shows that the problem is widespread and requires continued attention from both authorities and the public.
What are the dangers associated with carrying excess passengers?
The dangers are numerous. Every vehicle is designed to operate within a specific capacity. When that capacity is exceeded, the vehicle becomes unstable.
First, excessive weight affects the vehicle’s balance, making it harder for the driver to maintain control. This can easily lead to accidents, especially when the driver has to brake suddenly or maneuver around obstacles.
Second, overloaded vehicles often experience mechanical problems such as tyre bursts. Tyres are designed to support a certain weight. When that limit is exceeded, the tyres become more vulnerable to failure.
Third, overcrowded vehicles can be deadly during accidents. Imagine a vehicle designed for 14 passengers carrying 20 people. If that vehicle crashes, the number of casualties increases significantly.
It is heartbreaking to hear reports of crashes where everyone inside the vehicle dies. In many cases, investigators later discover that the vehicle was carrying far more passengers than it should have.
Why do you think people continue ignoring these risks?
One of the biggest challenges is that many people have not fully internalized the concept of road safety. They still believe that safety enforcement is solely the responsibility of the police.
Whenever an accident happens, the first question people ask is, “Where were the traffic police?” But road safety does not depend on police presence alone. Drivers must obey the rules even when officers are not around.
Similarly, passengers must take responsibility for their own safety. For example, some people do not wear seatbelts unless a traffic officer reminds them. Yet seatbelts can save lives during crashes.
Changing this mindset is essential if we want to reduce road accidents.
Let’s talk about rush hours. Why do accidents increase during those periods?
Rush hours occur when many people are trying to reach their destinations at the same time. In the morning, people are rushing to work or taking children to school. In the evening, they are heading back home.
During these periods, traffic congestion increases and many drivers become impatient. They try to overtake recklessly, ignore traffic lights, or even drive on pedestrian pavements to avoid delays.
Statistics show that many crashes occur during evening rush hours, particularly between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The pressure to reach destinations quickly often leads to poor decision-making.
Another issue is poor planning. Some people start their journeys too late and then try to compensate by speeding or breaking traffic rules. For example, if a child must report to school at 7:00 AM, the parent should leave home early enough. Leaving just 20 minutes before the reporting time creates unnecessary pressure on the road.
What solutions do you recommend to reduce rush hour accidents?
The most important solutions are discipline and patience.
Drivers must understand that everyone using the road has equal rights. No one is more important than another road user. By respecting traffic rules and being patient, we can significantly reduce accidents.
Planning is also essential. People should schedule their journeys properly so they do not feel pressured to rush. Leaving earlier can prevent risky driving behaviors.
Traffic police also increase deployment during rush hours, especially at busy junctions. However, as I mentioned earlier, we cannot cover every road. That is why self-discipline among drivers is crucial.
Are there specific accident black spots motorists should watch out for?
Accidents can happen anywhere. While some locations may have engineering challenges such as sharp corners, crashes are not limited to those areas.
In fact, many accidents occur on straight roads where drivers overtake carelessly or exceed speed limits. Ultimately, road user behavior plays the biggest role in determining whether a crash will occur.
Drivers should therefore treat every road segment as a potential danger zone and remain alert at all times.
Why are tuk-tuks allowed to operate on high-speed highways such as the bypass?
The sharp curves along the bypass often require motorists to drive at speeds of around 70 km/h, creating risky situations when they suddenly encounter slow-moving tuk-tuks.
They are not allowed and they are not supposed to. Politics are the ones spoiling things.
Finally, what message would you like to share with road users?
My message is simple: discipline and patience save lives.
When you are on the road, remember that everyone else has a destination and responsibilities just like you. Do not turn your personal urgency into a public emergency.
Even if you are rushing to an important meeting, remember that someone else might be rushing to the hospital to save a life. We must respect one another and follow traffic rules.
If all road users become more disciplined and patient, we will significantly reduce road crashes and make our roads safer for everyone. Road safety begins with each one of us.