The Uganda Police have arrested the driver of a passenger taxi featured in a widely circulated TikTok video that showed a man seated dangerously on a wooden chair atop a moving taxi drinking beer in Nsambya, Kampala.

The vehicle bearing registration number UAZ 910B was impounded after being tracked using CCTV footage. The reckless stunt captured and shared online has drawn widespread condemnation from both the public and authorities.

The Superintendent of Police Michael Kananura confirmed the arrest of the suspect and the charges he now faces.

“We confirm the arrest of the driver of a taxi registration number UAZ 910B, following the circulation of a trending TikTok video showing a man dangerously seated on a wooden chair placed atop the said vehicle,” SP Kananura stated.

He revealed, “The incident occurred in Nsambya, in an area where there was no active traffic deployment at the time. Upon discovering the video, police utilized CCTV footage to trace the vehicle, which was subsequently impounded.”

He added that the driver and conductor are now in custody and have been charged with carrying a person in a dangerous manner, in violation of Section 117 (1) and (3) of the Traffic and Road Safety Act (CAP. 347).

Preliminary investigations revealed that the individual seen on top of the vehicle is a TikTok content creator who allegedly paid UGX 20,000 to the driver and conductor to facilitate the stunt.

“Efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the TikTok content creator, who will also be charged under the same section of the law for consenting to be carried in a dangerous manner,” Kananura said.

Speaking on the same incident, Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire emphasized the severity of the offense.

“We managed to trace the vehicle carrying someone on top of its bed. It was impounded, and the driver was charged with carrying a passenger in a dangerous position,” Owoyesigyire confirmed.

Owoyesigyire added, “However, the passenger has not yet been traced, but efforts to locate him are ongoing.”

He cautioned the public against engaging in life-threatening behavior under the pretense of content creation.

He noted, “This is very dangerous, lads. We understand that the TikToker paid the driver 20,000 shillings for that stunt.”

Authorities have reiterated that all suspects will be arraigned in court at an appropriate time to answer to the charges.

Kananura further warned, “We strongly condemn such reckless behavior, which endangers road safety under the guise of comedy or content creation. We urge members of the public to exercise responsibility and caution at all times, no life should be put at risk for the sake of entertainment.”

He added, “Let us all work together to prioritize safety on our roads.”

The Uganda Police continue to monitor social media platforms and use surveillance tools to curb unlawful and dangerous conduct, especially stunts that pose risks to public safety.

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The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has confirmed that the first batch of upgraded national identity cards is now ready for collection by Ugandans who applied for renewals. This announcement comes as the nationwide mass enrolment and renewal exercise, which began on May 27, 2025, continues across the country.

Speaking on Monday, NIRA Registrar Claire Ollama stated that roughly 100,000 new national ID cards have been printed and dispatched to various district offices.

“We, however, ask Ugandans to be patient as more people will receive notifications on where to pick their national ID cards,” Ollama said.

She clarified that individuals should pick up their new IDs from the same stations where their biometric data was originally captured.

The new national IDs boast several advanced security features to combat counterfeiting. These include Multiple Laser Images (MLI), which embed various images visible at different angles, and a Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) for quick, machine-based data verification, similar to passports. The cards also incorporate a two-dimensional barcode for quick data retrieval via smartphones or specialized scanners, and will soon integrate iris biometrics as an additional identification layer. Made from durable polycarbonate material, these IDs are designed for a 10-year validity period.

This release is a key part of NIRA’s broader effort to modernize Uganda’s national identity system. The ongoing enrolment campaign aims to renew some 15.8 million expiring ID cards and register 17.2 million new applicants, including those turning 16 or previously unregistered. While initial registration and renewals remain free, fees apply for changing particulars or replacing lost IDs.

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 In a gesture of compassion and corporate responsibility, TLG Group, a Ugandan premium property developer, has donated a borehole and essential supplies to residents of Naguru in memory of the late Rajiv Ruparelia.

The donation, made during a heartfelt community outreach in Naguru’s Police Barracks Village included clean water access and household supplies, benefiting hundreds of families. The event was spearheaded by officials from TLG Group and was marked by an emotional tribute to Rajiv Ruparelia, who passed away in May 2024.

“This act of generosity honours Rajiv’s enduring legacy of philanthropy and dedication to bettering lives,” read a statement by the company. “We are proud to stand with the Ruparelia Foundation to bring this community much-needed relief and hope.”

The borehole, drilled to serve the densely populated and water-stressed Naguru II community, was officially handed over amid gratitude and praise from local leaders and residents. TLG officials emphasized that this initiative was not just about infrastructure, but a heartfelt contribution to uplift the vulnerable.

Among those in attendance were Rajiv’s mother, Jyotsna Ruparelia, his brother, Rajan Ruparelia, and TLG Group Executive Director Nicole Kalungi. The family reaffirmed their commitment to philanthropy and community support, with Rajan Ruparelia noting:

“Rajiv lived for the people. His mission was always to give, to uplift. This borehole is a symbol of the light he brought into people’s lives.”

The donated borehole is expected to ease the strain on Naguru residents, particularly women and children who face daily challenges accessing safe water. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), nearly 70% of urban dwellers in informal settlements like Naguru rely on unsafe or distant water sources, often paying exorbitant fees for water.

Local resident Susan Akello shared,“We’ve struggled for years. Water is life, and this gift is a blessing. It’s something Rajiv would have done himself.”

The event also featured the distribution of assorted relief items including sugar, soap, rice, flour, and sanitary towels. Volunteers from the Ruparelia Foundation and TLG Group joined hands to ensure efficient delivery and engagement with beneficiaries.

Water scarcity remains a critical issue in Uganda, with Kampala’s urban poor among the hardest hit. The World Bank estimates that over 7 million Ugandans lack access to safe drinking water, and women and girls are disproportionately affected.

A recent Water Aid report noted that residents in informal settlements like Naguru often spend up to 22% of their monthly income on water, a figure far beyond the UN-recommended threshold of 3%.

This initiative is part of TLG Group’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, which includes regular community engagement and infrastructure support. It also affirms the ongoing work of the Rajiv Ruparelia Foundation, committed to education, healthcare and humanitarian causes across Uganda.

“Rajiv may be gone, but his vision lives on,” said Nicole Kalungi. “We will continue to honour him through action and impact.”

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The Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, has warned accounting officers across the country, urging them to ensure transparency and integrity in the management of Shs1.1 trillion allocated for the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in the Financial Year 2025/26.

Ggoobi made the revelation during the release of the budget execution circular for financial year 2025/26 on July 10, 2025.

“In the FY 2025/26, Government has provided Shs1,096.9 billion for PDM activities at the parish level,” Ggoobi said.

He added, “Shs1,059.4 billion will go directly into the Parish Revolving Fund, giving each parish Shs100 million to support organised households.”

The funds will also cover other critical PDM components. Ggoobi revealed that Shs5.297 billion has been set aside for loan processing costs at the SACCOs, allocating Shs500,000 per parish. An additional Shs4.237 billion will cater for withdrawal charges associated with PDM loans, with each parish receiving Shs400,000.

To ensure inclusivity, Shs4.654 billion will support Persons with Disabilities who access PDM loans. Administrative costs for Parish Development Committees will be covered under Shs10.594 billion, with each parish receiving Shs1 million. Furthermore, Shs12.712 billion has been allocated to facilitate monthly allowances of Shs100,000 for Parish Chiefs and Town Agents.

Ggoobi stressed that the funds must be used strictly according to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance. He condemned all forms of corruption and illegal charges imposed on beneficiaries.

“The Parish Revolving Fund beneficiaries should not be charged any fees or forced to pay any money to access a loan,” Ggoobi warned.

He added, “Any person or government official involved in fraud, extortion or manipulation of the PDM processes contrary to the guidelines should be handled in accordance with the law.”

He reminded accounting officers to fill all parish chief vacancies without delay and ensure that eligible officers receive their monthly duty facilitation allowances promptly.

Ggoobi further directed that all Accounting Officers must submit detailed quarterly reports accounting for the use of PDM funds. These reports must trace the flow of public funds from all sources to activities under the respective sub-county departments and PDM pillars.

“Government has allocated funds to both Central and Local Governments for the provision of public goods and services at the lower local government level,” he stated. “These resources are intended to enhance service delivery through PDM structures, and proper reporting is not optional — it is mandatory.”

The Parish Development Model is Uganda’s flagship program for transforming the livelihoods of households still engaged in subsistence agriculture. The Finance Ministry’s latest funding and warnings come as part of efforts to protect the integrity and effectiveness of the initiative, and ensure no funds are lost through corruption or inefficiency.

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