(Luweero) – A tragic collision on the Kampala-Gulu Road in Luwero district claimed four lives early Wednesday morning, with another four individuals sustaining injuries. The crash, which involved a Toyota Hiace van (UBG 392L) and an unidentified truck, occurred around 5 a.m. in Nakazzi village, Luwero town council.
Preliminary investigations by police revealed that the accident happened when the truck, traveling from Gulu, struck the van on the driver’s side. The impact caused the van to lose stability and roll over. The truck was reportedly coming from the Kampala direction at the time of the collision.
Among the deceased was Moses Kitata, a 43 year old driver from Wobulenzi town council in Luwero district. His identity was the only one confirmed by press time. The bodies of the other victims were taken to Luwero Hospital’s mortuary for postmortem examination, while the injured were admitted to the same facility for treatment.
Police towed the wreckage of the van to Luwero Central Station to aid in further investigations. The authorities are continuing their inquiries to determine the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
This fatal incident comes amid a disturbing rise in road traffic accidents across the country. According to a police report, 98 people lost their lives in road crashes between August 25 and 31, while 336 others were injured. Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura highlighted that unsafe overtaking contributed to 27% of the accidents, while speeding accounted for 22%.
In the past week, two other significant crashes were reported involving buses. One incident involved a Jaguar bus that collided with an Isuzu Elfu mini lorry, resulting in eight deaths and 20 injuries after the bus rolled several times in Kabaale Bugionzi valley. The crash was attributed to reckless driving.
Another deadly accident occurred in Kaihura, Kyenjojo district, when a Pokopoko Company bus rammed into a commuter taxi on August 28. This collision claimed the lives of 10 mourners who were traveling to a burial. Investigations suggested that the taxi swerved into the bus lane, possibly due to driver fatigue, leading to a head-on collision.
The table below summarizes the key statistics from the recent road accidents:
| Date | Location | Vehicles Involved | Fatalities | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 4, 2024 | Kampala-Gulu Road, Luwero | Toyota Hiace van, truck | 4 | 4 |
| August 31, 2024 | Kabaale Bugionzi valley | Jaguar bus, Isuzu Elfu | 8 | 20 |
| August 28, 2024 | Kaihura, Kyenjojo district | Pokopoko bus, taxi | 10 | – |
The surge in road traffic accidents has raised concerns about driving behaviors, particularly unsafe overtaking and speeding. Authorities are urging motorists to adhere to road safety regulations to avoid further tragedies.
