The Uganda Police have attributed human error as the primary cause of the tragic car crash that occurred on the Tororo-Iganga Highway on Monday, March 11, 2024. In a statement released on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, authorities confirmed that the accident resulted in the loss of 10 lives and involved six vehicles.
According to Micheal Kananura, the spokesperson for the Traffic and Safety Directorate, the fatal crash unfolded at Kibimba on the Iganga-Tororo Highway around 7:50 pm. The vehicles involved in the collision were identified as motor vehicle registration numbers KBJ 156C/ZD 2621 (Mercedes Benz Actros), KDY 526G/ZD4391 (Mercedes Benz Axor), KDH (Toyota Land Cruiser), UAV 597N (Toyota Hiace), UAW 963 (Toyota Hiace), and KAE 254C/ZA 5971 (Tanker loaded with molasses).
Kananura elaborated on the sequence of events leading to the crash, stating that five vehicles were traveling in the same direction towards Tororo, with one vehicle, the tanker loaded with molasses, heading in the opposite direction towards Iganga. The driver of motor vehicle registration number UAW 963M, a taxi, attempted to overtake the other vehicles but misjudged an oncoming trailer loaded with molasses, leading to a fatal collision.
The collision resulted in the tragic deaths of ten individuals, including eight passengers in the taxi, its driver, and the driver of the trailer. The bodies were transported to Bugiri Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations, while the vehicles involved were towed to Muwayo Police Station for further inspection.
In light of the incident, investigations have been initiated, with authorities securing the scene and guarding the tanker loaded with molasses pending off-loading.
The unfortunate crash adds to the concerning statistics outlined in the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report of 2023, which recorded a 16% increase in reported road crashes from 2022 to 2023. Out of the total crashes reported in 2023, 4,179 were fatal, 12,487 were serious, and 6,942 were minor crashes, resulting in a 15% rise in casualties compared to the previous year.
The report highlighted December as the month with the highest number of recorded crashes, while July witnessed the highest number of fatalities. These statistics underscore the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures to mitigate the risk of accidents and save lives on Uganda’s highways.
