Masaka, Uganda — Four people have been confirmed dead following a tragic road accident at Matanga (Ndikuttamadda) along the Kampala–Masaka Highway in Masaka City.
According to the Masaka East and West Regional Police Spokesperson, Twaha Kasirye, the fatal crash occurred at around 12:05 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, and involved a Mercedes-Benz trailer and a Fuso box-body truck.
Police say the trailer, registration CGO9638AF/19/CGO6561AA/19, was travelling from Masaka towards Kampala when its driver allegedly attempted to overtake another vehicle while descending Matanga Hill. In the process, the trailer collided head-on with a white Fuso truck, registration UBQ 238Q, which was travelling in the opposite direction from Kampala to Masaka.
The trailer driver, identified as Syaunswa Kanyamunyu, died instantly in the crash. Three occupants of the Fuso truck also lost their lives, bringing the total number of fatalities to four.
One unidentified passenger who survived the collision was rushed to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital for medical treatment. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the hospital mortuary pending postmortem examinations.
Preliminary police investigations suggest that the crash may have been caused by careless overtaking by the trailer driver, although inquiries into the exact circumstances are still ongoing.
The latest tragedy adds to growing concerns over road safety in Uganda, coming just days after the devastating school bus crash at Kaserem along the Kapchorwa–Mbale Road, which claimed the lives of 23 pupils and their school director.
Police statistics released earlier this year show that road crashes remain a major concern. A total of 26,044 road traffic accidents were recorded in 2025, an increase from 25,107 recorded in 2024. Of these, 4,602 were fatal, resulting in 5,383 deaths, while serious injuries rose to 18,444, underscoring the continued need for greater road safety and responsible driving.
