A 70-year-old man, identified as Walusimbi Solomon (Salongo), collapsed and died in a commuter taxi on his way to town. The incident, which happened mid-morning, prompted panic among passengers before the vehicle was driven to the Central Police Station (CPS), where preliminary investigations began.
According to Patrick Onyango, the spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan Police, the passenger was seated in the front seat next to the driver when he suddenly stopped moving. Attempts by fellow travelers to wake him up were unsuccessful, raising fears that he may have died before they reached their destination.
“This afternoon we had an unfortunate incident here at the city center where a passenger in one of the taxis collapsed and died. The deceased has been identified as Walusimbi Solomon, a 70-year-old man,” Onyango confirmed.“The person seated next to him noticed strange movements and alerted the driver. When they checked, they discovered that the passenger was already dead. We have taken the body to the city mortuary for postmortem to establish the cause of death. Investigations are ongoing.”
Onyango also appealed to members of the public to take their health seriously, advising commuters to undergo regular medical check-ups, monitor their blood pressure, and seek medical attention if they feel unwell before traveling. The taxi driver, Abdul-Shakur Kaweesa, narrated that Walusimbi had boarded the vehicle early in the morning at Kiyunga stage in Mukono District after arriving on a boda boda from Mayangyanga.
“He came at around 7:00 am sharp and asked whether the taxi was going to the city center. I told him yes, and he sat in the co-driver’s seat,” Kaweesa explained. A few meters after boarding, another passenger entered and sat between him and Walusimbi. Along the way, Kaweesa observed unusual behavior from the elderly man.
“I noticed strange movements as he stretched himself. Suddenly, he leaned against the door and appeared to be asleep. When the passenger in the middle got out at Nakawa, we tried waking him up but he wasn’t responding. When we opened the door he was leaning on, his body nearly fell out. That’s when we realized something was wrong,” Kaweesa said.
Confusion erupted among passengers as they debated the next step. Some suggested rushing him to a hospital, while others advised reporting to police. Eventually, they agreed to drive straight to CPS, where police took over the matter. Another commuter, John Sande Musaabi, who had boarded the same taxi from Bweyogerere, recalled the tense moments leading to the discovery.
“When we reached Nakawa, one passenger got off and tried to close the door, but this man was leaning against it and showed no movement. The driver said he had noticed him stretching himself several times and suspected something was wrong,” Musaabi narrated.
Alarmed, the passengers urged the driver to seek help. However, traffic congestion on the Jinja Road highway slowed their journey. “The road was jammed, and the driver, who wasn’t familiar with shortcuts, diverted and ended up near a conference venue. Finally, we told him to proceed straight to the Central Police Station since it was the safest option. That is how we ended up here,” Musaabi added.
At CPS, police and medical officers confirmed Walusimbi’s death, and the taxi occupants recorded statements as part of the ongoing inquiry. Police say a postmortem will determine the exact cause of Walusimbi’s death. Preliminary accounts suggest it may have been a natural health-related complication, but investigators are not ruling out other possibilities until results are released.
Meanwhile, authorities have urged passengers and transport operators to remain vigilant, noting that quick action can save lives in similar cases. “We appeal to everyone, especially the elderly, to check their health conditions regularly before traveling. Knowing your pressure and general health status is important,” Onyango emphasized.