Police in Nsangi are holding nine suspects following the interception of a dangerously overloaded passenger van heading to Masaka for a football match on Sunday.
The Toyota Hiace, registration number UBH 183S, was found carrying 31 passengers, 18 crammed inside and 13 riding dangerously on top. The number plates had also been deliberately concealed.
Six suspects, including the driver and five passengers, were taken into custody. The passengers face charges of riding in a dangerous position, while the driver is charged with concealing a number plate, driving out of class, and breaching the operator’s license.
The vehicle was tracked and intercepted through road safety cameras under ongoing police surveillance operations.
Following the arrests, some of the remaining passengers stormed Nsangi Police Station, demanding the release of their colleagues. Police swiftly contained the situation, arresting three more individuals for obstruction and inciting violence, while the rest were dispersed.
Speaking on the matter, SP Michael Kananura, the Public Relations Officer in the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, condemned the incident, stressing that such recklessness puts lives at risk.
“Such actions not only violate traffic regulations but also endanger lives. We have recorded tragic crashes linked to similar negligence, resulting in deaths and severe injuries,” Kananura said.
He reaffirmed the Directorate’s commitment to enforcing traffic laws and urged the public to adhere to safety regulations.
“We call upon all road users to follow traffic rules and refrain from actions that compromise road safety or interfere with lawful police duties,” he added.
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