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Kampala, Uganda — Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is facing sharp criticism and accusations of negligence following a fatal accident at the Wankoko level crossing in Bugolobi, after eyewitnesses and regular road users disputed the corporation’s official account of safety measures at the crossing.
In a statement dated December 22, 2025, URC claimed the crossing was manned by staff from both the Railways Police and URC at the time of the crash, which involved a commuter train and a Mitsubishi Pajero, killing one person, an American Savannah Gardner. However, several road users who say they use the crossing daily have rejected this assertion, saying the area is routinely unmanned and lacks basic safety infrastructure.
“I use that crossing daily and I have never seen URC staff manning it,” said one regular commuter. “Whenever a train approaches, motorists are forced to lower their windows to listen for the train horn. There are no gates, no warning signs, nothing.”
Residents argue that the absence of automatic or manual barrier gates, which close when trains are approaching and reopen after they pass, has turned the crossing into a death trap. Such gates are standard safety features at busy level crossings in many countries and are designed to physically prevent motorists from attempting to cross when trains are approaching.
Critics also dispute URC’s claim that traffic had been stopped on all sides at the time of the incident, insisting there are no permanent rail guards stationed at the crossing.
“URC is pretending,” another resident said. “There are no rail guards there. This is not the first time someone has died at Wankoko.”
Indeed, locals point to previous fatal incidents at the same crossing, including the death of a staff member from telecom company MTN Uganda several years ago, raising questions about why long-standing safety concerns were never addressed.
Road safety advocates say reliance on train horns alone is grossly inadequate in a busy urban area like Bugolobi, where traffic congestion, noise, and poor visibility significantly increase the risk of accidents.
Despite acknowledging the fatality and expressing condolences, URC did not explain why the crossing lacks gates, warning lights, or clear signage—nor did it outline any immediate plans to upgrade safety infrastructure at the site.
As investigations by Uganda Police continue, pressure is mounting on URC to take responsibility and urgently install physical barriers, warning signs, and permanent staffing at Wankoko and other high-risk crossings across the city.
For now, residents say the danger remains.
“It’s only a matter of time before another life is lost,” one commuter warned.
