Kampala Metropolitan Police has directed all motorcyclists to carry only one passenger at a time in a bid to reduce the number of lives lost from accidents caused by over loading.
Michael Kananura, the traffic police spokesperson condemned the widespread practice of overloading motorcycles, warning that it endangers lives and contributes to preventable road fatalities.
“Motorcyclists must carry only one passenger to maintain full control of their motorcycles,” he emphasized.
This directive comes after a fatal accident that claimed four lives on February 16, 2025, at Kibale Trading Centre along the Pallisa-Kumi Road in Pallisa District.
Michael Kananura, speaking at a media briefing on February 17, 2025, at the police headquarters in Naguru, revealed that the crash involved a truck, registration number UAS 781Q, and a motorcycle, registration number UEK 050L.
The collision occurred when the overloaded motorcycle, carrying four passengers, failed to yield while merging onto the main road from Agule Road, resulting in a devastating impact. All four individuals on the motorcycle died instantly.
Police warned motorcyclists against exceeding speed limits, noting that reckless riding significantly increases the risk of fatal crashes.
“Many motorcyclists assume speed limits only apply to cars, but they are just as vulnerable on the road,” Kananura stated.
Additionally, he cautioned against using trucks for passenger transport, a practice he described as both illegal and life-threatening. He urged market vendors and religious groups to avoid boarding trucks, citing recent deadly accidents.
His warning follows another fatal crash on February 13, 2025, at Omukatagu along the Ishaka-Kagamba Road in Ishaka District, where a speeding Mitsubishi Fuso, registration UAX 019K, overturned while transporting religious believers, killing four people and injuring 37 others.
Preliminary police investigations in both incidents point to reckless driving and overloading as primary causes of the crashes.
Kananura emphasized the importance of driver responsibility and urged all road users to follow traffic laws, expressing disregard for traffic violations, which lead to unnecessary loss of human life.
