A Drone overload football fans incident in Mpigi District has raised serious concerns about road safety and reckless behaviour among sports supporters. Police have confirmed that at least nine fans were arrested after a dangerously loaded Toyota Hiace, commonly known as a drone, was intercepted on its way to a football match in Buwama.
How the Drone was intercepted
According to Michael Kananura, spokesperson of the Traffic and Road Safety Directorate, the Toyota Hiace with registration number UBH 183S was stopped by traffic police at Nsangi. The vehicle was heading from Kampala to Masaka on Saturday when cameras detected its dangerous load.
Inside the drone, 18 passengers were seated, while 13 others were perched dangerously on top of the vehicle. To make matters worse, the number plates had been deliberately obscured. Police arrested the driver and five passengers immediately.
Arrests and charges filed
The driver faces multiple charges, including concealing a number plate, driving out of class, and breaching an operator’s licence. Meanwhile, the passengers found sitting on top of the vehicle face charges of riding in a dangerous position.
“The group was intercepted through cameras, as part of our ongoing efforts to monitor and curb such dangerous behaviour on our roads,” Kananura said.
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Protests at Nsangi Police Station
Shortly after the arrests, fellow supporters stormed Nsangi Police Station demanding the release of their colleagues. Police say the protest turned chaotic, resulting in the arrest of three more individuals for obstruction and inciting violence. The rest of the group was dispersed.
Police response and warning
Kananura strongly condemned the behaviour, saying it put lives at serious risk. “Such actions not only violate traffic regulations but also endanger lives. Traffic has recorded other tragic crashes linked to negligence, leading to loss of lives and serious injuries,” he noted.
Police have pledged stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, especially during football events, to clamp down on overloaded vehicles and reckless supporters.
The Drone overload football fans case in Buwama highlights the urgent need for discipline among passengers and drivers to prevent further tragedies on Ugandan roads.
