10 Dead in Kyenjojo bus-taxi collision

At least 10 people have died in a tragic accident involving a bus and a taxi along the Fort Portal highway in Kyenjojo District.

The crash occurred around 4:00 a.m. at Kaihura along the Fort Portal highway. The collision involved a bus, registration number UBE 807T, belonging to Pokopoko Company, and a taxi, registration number UBR 812G. The taxi was transporting mourners from Ntungamo to Kyenjojo for a burial.

According to Michael Kananura, the traffic police spokesperson, preliminary investigations suggest that the taxi driver, unfamiliar with the route, was fatigued from continuous driving without rest. This led the vehicle to veer out of its lane at Kaihura and collide head-on with the oncoming bus.

“The impact resulted in the tragic loss of ten lives, including the taxi driver and all passengers,” Kananura said. The bodies of the deceased have been transported to Kyenjojo Hospital for post-mortem examinations, and the vehicles have been towed to the police station for further investigation.

Road accidents remain a significant challenge in Uganda, with factors such as driver fatigue, speeding, and poor road conditions contributing to frequent crashes. In 2022 alone, Uganda recorded over 12,000 road accidents, resulting in thousands of fatalities and injuries, according to the Uganda Police Force’s annual traffic report.

This latest accident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of road safety measures, driver training, and public awareness to prevent further loss of life on Uganda’s roads.