The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety of the Uganda Police Force has issued an update following a multiple-vehicle collision that occurred early Wednesday morning along the Kampala–Gulu Highway in Kiryandongo district.
The tragic crash happened at around 12:15 a.m. at Kitaleba village near Asili Farm, claiming dozens of lives and leaving many others hospitalised.
Initial figures from the Police and Uganda Red Cross Society put the death toll at 63, with scores injured.
The crash involved four vehicles, two passenger buses, a Toyota Land Cruiser, and a Tata lorry. The vehicles were identified as UAM 045V Isuzu bus belonging to Planet Coaches, UBF 614X Isuzu bus belonging to Nile Star Coaches, CGO 5132AB07 Toyota Land Cruiser Surf, and UBK 647C Tata lorry.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the Nile Star bus, travelling from Kampala towards Gulu, attempted to overtake the Tata lorry and collided head-on with the Planet bus coming from the opposite direction. The Planet bus was also overtaking the Toyota Land Cruiser at the time.
Both drivers misjudged the overtaking distance, leading to a violent impact that left the two buses extensively damaged, while the Land Cruiser and lorry overturned several times before plunging into a nearby valley.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrific, with wreckage scattered across the road and passengers trapped inside the mangled vehicles. Rescue teams from the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda Red Cross worked through the night to retrieve bodies and evacuate the injured.
Also read: 4 dead, 8 injured in Kole district fatal road crash
Survivors were rushed to Kiryandongo General Hospital and nearby health facilities for emergency treatment, while the deceased were taken to Kiryandongo Hospital mortuary for postmortem and identification.
The Albertine North Regional Police Commander, together with district and traffic officers, led rescue and recovery operations at the scene. Police have since secured the area and begun towing the wreckage to Kiryandongo Police Station for inspection as investigations continue.
The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety spokesperson, SP Michael Kananura, described the crash as one of the worst in recent years.
He attributed it to reckless overtaking and urged motorists to avoid speeding and impatience while on the road. “Most of these accidents are caused by human error. We urge all drivers to observe discipline and prioritise safety,” Kananura said.
The Kampala–Gulu Highway, a major transport route connecting northern Uganda to the capital, has long been prone to fatal crashes involving long-distance buses and heavy trucks. Road safety experts have consistently called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, regular vehicle inspection, and improved driver training to curb such tragedies.
New death toll
A few hours after addressing the nation on the saddest event, revealing the death toll at 63, SP Kananura has announced that the death toll stands at 46, according to the latest update from the hospital.
“At the time of the crash, several victims were found unconscious, and some may have been mistakenly included in the initial fatality count. We are working in close coordination with health and emergency services to ensure accurate and timely updates as the situation develops.”
Museveni mourns...
President Museveni has issued his condolences to the bereaved families and directed the State House Controller to pay each family who lost loved ones shs5m and shs1m to those injured.
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