A tragic accident in Rukiga District has once again drawn attention to the dangers of overloading tricycles used for commercial transport, as police investigate the death of a 30-year-old man who was killed when an overloaded vehicle overturned.
The deceased, Ben Byaruhanga, a resident of Katabonwa Cell in Ntungamo District, died instantly on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at night after the tricycle he was riding on lost control and overturned near Rushebeya Swamp along the Kisiizi–Rushebeya–Muhanga murram road.
According to Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson Elly Maate, the green Zongshen tricycle (registration number UGB 212V) was transporting 26 bags of charcoal and had one passenger Byaruhanga seated atop the cargo. The driver reportedly swerved to avoid a pothole, lost control of the vehicle, and overturned. The impact killed Byaruhanga on the spot.
“This is a clear example of the risks posed by overloading and unsafe transport practices,” Maate said. “These vehicles are not designed to carry such heavy and unstable loads.”
Police transported the body to Rwentobo Health Centre IV for a postmortem, and the tricycle is currently impounded at Rukiga Central Police Station as investigations continue.
The incident has sparked fresh calls for stricter enforcement of transport regulations, particularly on load limits for tricycles, which are increasingly used for commercial transport in rural areas. Often modified and misused, these vehicles frequently operate without adequate oversight, licensing, or adherence to safety standards.
Without urgent intervention, local leaders and road safety advocates warn that negligence and lack of regulation could lead to more lives lost.
“We need targeted enforcement, routine checks, and public awareness campaigns to address this growing problem,” Bira Fundi Katabonwa cell area leader revealed.
“Overloading is not just illegal, it is deadly,” she added.
In many rural parts of Uganda, tricycles and other informal transport vehicles have become essential due to the lack of accessible and affordable regulated transport options. However, their widespread use, frequently without adherence to safety standards, has led to a surge in road accidents, particularly in remote areas where law enforcement is limited and infrastructure is poor.
The tragic death of Ben Byaruhanga serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need to strengthen rural transport safety, enforce regulations, and invest in safer, more sustainable transportation solutions for Uganda’s under privileged regions.
