At least 46 dead after two buses collide on Uganda highway
On Wed, Oct 4, 2023, a collision involving two buses and two other vehicles occurred on a highway in western Uganda, resulting in at least 46 fatalities, according to police reports.
On Wed, Oct 4, 2023, a collision involving two buses and two other vehicles occurred on a highway in western Uganda, resulting in at least 46 fatalities, according to police reports.
Initially, the Ugandan police reported a higher casualty figure of 63, which was subsequently adjusted as some individuals found unconscious at the scene were still alive.
The incident took place after midnight on the highway leading to Gulu, a significant city in northern Uganda, and involved several injuries.
The crash occurred when two buses, traveling in opposite directions, attempted to overtake other vehicles and collided near Kiryandongo. The police report indicated a head-on collision during overtaking maneuvers.
Road accidents are frequent in Uganda and other parts of East Africa, often attributed to narrow roads and speeding drivers. The frequency of such incidents has been a persistent issue, with a notable incident in August in south-western Kenya involving a bus accident that resulted in 25 fatalities.
On Wed, Oct 4, 2023, a collision involving two buses and two other vehicles occurred on a highway in western Uganda, resulting in at least 46 fatalities, according to police reports.
The reported death toll from this recent crash is notably high. Many injured individuals are receiving medical care at a nearby government hospital. According to official statistics, road fatalities in Uganda have been increasing, with 5,144 recorded deaths in 2024, up from 4,806 in 2023, and 4,534 in 2022.
Careless overtaking and speeding have been identified as causes for 44.5% of the documented crashes in 2024, as reported in the police's latest crime report.
The police urge all motorists to exercise maximum caution, particularly avoiding dangerous and careless overtaking, a significant factor in road crashes within the country.
Additional factors such as reckless driving, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient enforcement of traffic regulations, especially for heavy vehicles at night, contribute to the problem, according to road safety advocates.
Efforts continue to raise awareness about road safety, with upcoming events planned to commemorate those affected by such incidents.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
