Brake Failure Leads to Deadly Taxi Crash in Kampala

Two people lost their lives, and eight others were injured when a taxi they were traveling in crashed into a building on Rubaga Road in Kampala. The accident occurred early on Thursday morning, October 16, 2024, around 6:30 a.m., near the Luqman Petrol Station.

According to Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura, the crash happened when the speeding Toyota Hiace taxi, registration number UAU 194T, lost control while descending a slope. The vehicle failed to brake and ended up ramming into a commercial building along Rubaga Road, causing immediate fatalities. The driver and one passenger died instantly, while eight other passengers were injured.

The taxi was reportedly on its way from Sanyu Babies Home on Butikiro Road when the crash occurred. Bystanders quickly gathered at the scene, and emergency responders rushed the injured to Mengo Hospital and Mulago National Referral Hospital for urgent medical treatment.

“The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the City Mortuary for post-mortem examination,” Kananura stated. He added that the wreckage of the taxi was towed to Old Kampala Police Station for further inspection as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.

Kananura emphasized the need for all drivers to strictly follow speed limits, especially in urban areas, and to ensure that their vehicles are regularly serviced to avoid such tragic incidents.

The police have been increasingly vocal about the growing number of road traffic fatalities in Uganda. In May 2024, the Police reported a worrying rise in road deaths, noting that traffic accidents had reached alarming levels. According to their latest data, road fatalities increased by 6%, from 4,534 deaths in 2022 to 4,806 deaths in 2023.

Serious injuries resulting from road accidents also rose by 10%, with 16,736 people severely injured in 2023 compared to 15,227 in 2022. Additionally, minor injuries saw a dramatic increase of 86%, with 3,186 people sustaining minor injuries in 2023, up from 1,712 the previous year.

Survivor John Lutaaya, who was in the crashed taxi, described the terrifying moment when the vehicle failed to stop, and the driver lost control. Lutaaya is among the eight passengers injured in the incident.

The Police report has highlighted the need for greater collaboration among stakeholders to address the root causes of road traffic accidents and to implement preventative measures. Vulnerable road users, including motorcycle riders, passengers on motorcycles, pedestrians, and cyclists, remain the most affected, accounting for 85% of all road traffic deaths in Uganda.

Uganda ranks among the countries with the highest traffic fatality rates in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda’s traffic death rate stands at approximately 29 deaths per 100,000 people, one of the highest globally.