Kamdini-Gulu highway crash kills one

On 13 December, 2021, Uganda launched the national road safety week 2021 at UNRA grounds, Kyambogo. This year’s theme is: “Safe Speed Saves Life.”

Oyam—18, December 2021: A fatal road crash happened in Aminomir trading centre on Kamdini-Gulu highway, according to police.

The North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson (NKR), ASP Patrick Jimmy Okema says a Police officer No. 36546, PC Ayesgiga reported the incident on 18, 12 -2021 at about 0204am.

PC Ayesiga is a Police officer attached to Traffic Police Oyam Central Police Station. “That it occurred on 18/12/2021 at about 0130/c from Aminomir trading center along Kamdini-Gulu Highway,” Okema said, quoting what Ayesiga reported.

Cause of the crash

 Okema says a bus Reg. No. UAQ 045Q belonging to Eagle Bus Company was driven by a man only identified as Kafuuzi. “He was carrying an unknown number of passengers while moving towards Gulu from Kampala’s side.”

“It then knocked a Mercedes-Benz truck white in color; Reg. UAA 013C which was stationed on the road as it had developed a mechanical fault.”

“Both motor vehicles overturned off-road and even slightly knocked and damaged a house nearby. One bus passenger died on the spot; a yet to be identified young lady. The drivers of the bus and the truck are at large.”

They have taken the body of the deceased to Anyeke HC IV, Oyam district pending identification and postmortem.

ALSO READ:

• “Safe Speed Saves Life”: Transport minister directs review of speed limit regulations
• North Kyoga Region to deploy additional traffic officers as figures show possible crash surge
• Carrefour Uganda announces death of founder Majid Al Futtaim
• China donates more 600k doses of Sinovac vaccine to Uganda

“Inquiries at hand vide Oyam TSD Ref: 02/18/12/2022,” reveals North Kyoga Regional police spokesperson.

Road Safety Week 2021

On 13 December, 2021, Uganda launched the national road safety week 2021 at UNRA grounds, Kyambogo. This year’s National Road Safety Week theme is: “Safe Speed Saves Life.”

The aim of the national road safety week is raising awareness about the impact of speeding on road traffic crashes.

Speaking at the launch, Works and Transport Minister, Gen. Katumba Wamala directed that his ministry in consultations with other stakeholders review the speed limit regulations and cater for 30 km/h speed limits where people and traffic mix like school zones.

Burden on the economy

In Uganda, on average 10 people die every day and dozens are  injured, according to the Traffic Police reports.

  Katumba, last week, reminded people at the launch that “the country loses over 5 Trillion Shillings (5% of GDP) through rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and lost productivity due to road crashes.”