Fort Portal witnessed three separate road crashes resulting in the loss of 12 lives and multiple injuries in a span of just one week.
The first incident occurred on March 5 at Mukunyu along the Kyenjojo-Fort Portal road. A tragic collision between a Fuso lorry and a stationary taxi claimed the lives of six individuals instantly, with two more succumbing to their injuries on the way to the hospital. Currently, eight people are hospitalized with critical wounds. Vincent Twesige, the Rwenzori West Police spokesperson, attributed the accident to reckless speeding by the Fuso lorry driver.
Just two days later, on March 7, another devastating crash occurred at the same location involving a truck transporting matooke from Fort Portal to Kampala. The collision resulted in the death of one occupant.
Survivor Sam Katwire recounted the harrowing experience, describing how a lorry from Kampala veered into oncoming traffic, causing their vehicle to swerve off the road and collide with a stationary lorry, leading to a fatality.
The third incident unfolded on March 11 at Mpanga, opposite the police barracks, on the Fort Portal-Kyenjojo Road. A vehicle traveling to Kyenjojo collided with a motorcycle from behind, claiming the lives of three male individuals on the motorcycle.
Vincent Twesige confirmed the details, stating that one person died on the spot, while two others succumbed to their injuries on the way to the hospital.
Rwenzori West Region Police Commander James Ruhwenza expressed concern over the rising number of road crash fatalities in the region, with 28 lives lost since the beginning of the year. He cited reckless driving, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol as primary causes.
According to the police annual crime report for 2023, the Rwenzori West region recorded 175 fatalities from road crashes last year alone, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures in the area.
