KAMPALA, Uganda- Uganda’s Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has confirmed the arrest of a taxi driver and his conductor after a viral TikTok video showed a man precariously seated on a wooden chair atop a moving vehicle.
According to Michael Kananura, the spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, the incident occurred in Nsambya, an area that had no active traffic officers at the time.
The commuter taxi with registration number UAZ 910B, was captured in the video with the man sitting dangerously on its roof as it moved along a public road.
“Upon seeing the trending video, we analyzed CCTV footage to trace the vehicle,” Kananura said. “The taxi was impounded, and both the driver and the conductor were apprehended. They are currently detained at Kabalagala Police Station pending formal charges.”
Preliminary findings suggest the man seen atop the taxi is a TikTok content creator who allegedly paid shs20,000 to the driver and conductor to facilitate the stunt. Kananura said the police have also launched a manhunt for the individual, who will also face legal consequences.
“The suspects are being charged with carrying a person in a dangerous manner, contrary to Section 117(1) and (2) of the Traffic and Road Safety Act (CAP. 347),” Kananura stated. “The TikToker will also be charged under the same provision once apprehended.”
Kananura emphasized that the suspects will be arraigned in court at an appropriate time to face the charges.
He also issued a stern warning against using public roadways for dangerous stunts disguised as entertainment.
“We strongly condemn such reckless acts that endanger road safety under the guise of comedy or content creation,” he said. “We urge the public to exercise responsibility and caution at all times. No life should be put at risk for the sake of entertainment. Let us all prioritize safety on our roads.”
Kananura said police continues to monitor and investigate similar cases of reckless behavior, especially those fueled by social media trends.
