At least seven people have lost their lives and 12 others sustained injuries in two separate horrific road accidents in Nakasongola District and Kampala, leaving families mourning their loved ones following the deadly crashes that happened on Monday night and Tuesday morning.

The first accident happened at around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, November 9, along the Kampala–Gulu Highway in Walusisi Village, Migeera Town Council, Nakasongola District. Four men died while nine other passengers were injured in a collision involving a Mercedes-Benz, a Toyota Hiace passenger vehicle and an Isuzu box-body truck.

According to police, the Mercedes-Benz, registration number CGO 0778AC 07, had reportedly broken down and remained obstructing the road from Gulu towards Kampala. A Toyota Hiace, registration number UA 154FQ, which was travelling from the Gulu direction, allegedly approached at high speed and attempted to overtake the stationary vehicle.

However, as an Isuzu truck, registration number UAL 445H, approached from the opposite direction, the Hiace driver reportedly swerved back to avoid a head-on collision but ended up hitting the rear of the stationary Mercedes-Benz. The Isuzu subsequently crashed into the Hiace, causing its driver to lose control and the truck to veer off the road.

In the second tragedy, three vehicles and a motorcycle were involved in a deadly crash at around 9:20 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10, along Kiwempe Road, off Ggaba Road in Kabalagala, Kampala. Two people, including the Isuzu truck driver and a motorcycle rider, died, while three others sustained serious injuries. The accident also left a commercial building damaged.

Preliminary police investigations indicate that the Isuzu truck was descending from the Lukuli side towards Kiwempe Road while carrying construction materials when its braking system reportedly developed a mechanical fault. The driver allegedly lost control, crashing into several vehicles, including a Fuso Fighter, a Volvo, a Toyota Super Custom and a Boxer motorcycle carrying two people.

The injured victims from the Kabalagala accident were rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the mortuary for postmortem examinations. In Nakasongola, the injured passengers and the four deceased victims were taken to Nakasongola Health Centre IV. Police also confirmed that the Mercedes-Benz driver was taken into custody as investigations into the first accident continued.

Following the two deadly incidents, Police Traffic spokesperson SP Michael Kananura urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are mechanically sound before travelling, particularly when using hilly roads. He also warned drivers against overloading and urged them to maintain proper control of their vehicles when ascending or descending hills to prevent further loss of lives.