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Uganda road accident: Two buses and two other vehicles collided early Wednesday on a highway in western Uganda, killing at least 63 people.
Uganda road accident: At least 63 people were killed when two buses and two other vehicles collided early Wednesday on a highway in western Uganda. Police said it was one of the worst road accidents in recent years in the East African country. Several other people were injured in the accident that occurred just after midnight local time on the highway in Gulu, a major city in northern Uganda. According to police, two bus drivers traveling in opposite directions attempted to overtake other vehicles and collided with each other near Kiryandongo town.
Accident happened during overtaking
Police said that both the buses collided head-on during overtaking. Road accidents are common in Uganda and elsewhere in East Africa, where roads are often narrow. Police usually blame speeding drivers for such accidents. In August, a bus plunged into a ditch in southwestern Kenya, killing at least 25 people and injuring several others. The recent accident death toll in Uganda is unusually high. Red Cross spokeswoman Irene Nakasita said the accident was horrific. After the accident, police immediately reached the spot. With the help of people, all the injured were taken to the nearby hospital. Said that most of the injured are being treated in a nearby government hospital. 5,144 people will die in road accidents in Uganda in 2024.
Advice to avoid overtaking
According to official police data, this number represents a worrying increase in the total number of people killed or injured in road accidents in recent years, rising to 4,806 in 2023 and 4,534 in 2022. The latest police crime report states that 44.5% of all accidents recorded in 2024 were due to careless overtaking and speeding. “As the investigation continues, we urge all drivers to use maximum caution on the roads,” police said in a statement after the latest crash. Drivers should especially avoid dangerous and careless overtaking, which is one of the major causes of accidents in the country. Uganda Police said that a special campaign will soon be launched to prevent road accidents in the city. Drivers will be advised not to overtake while following road safety. So that the life and property of passengers can be protected.
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