At least 10 people lost their lives, and several others sustained serious injuries when a trailer collided with six vehicles at Kibimba Bridge along the Iganga-Tororo highway in Bugiri District.
The Traffic Road and Safety Directorate Spokesperson, SP Michael Kananura, confirmed the fatalities. Among the victims were eight passengers of a taxi, along with the taxi driver and the driver of the trailer tanker.
The six vehicles involved in the accident were as follows:
- Mercedes-Benz Actros (KBJ 156C/ZD 2621)
- Mercedes-Benz Axor (KDY 526G/ZD4391)
- Toyota Land Cruiser (KDH 407T)
- Two Toyota Hiaces (UAV 597N and UAW 963M)
- A tanker loaded with molasses (KAE 254C/ZA 5971)
Mr. Kananura provided insight into what led to this tragedy. All vehicles were heading in the same direction toward Tororo, except for the molasses-loaded tanker, which was moving in the opposite direction toward Iganga.
The driver of the Toyota Hiace (UAW 963M) attempted to overtake a queue of six vehicles and encountered the oncoming tanker.
“He swerved to his left to give way not realising that the oncoming vehicle was a trailer tanker loaded with molasses,” Traffic Police said in a statement.
“The behind part of the trailer hit the said taxi, ramming it against another trailer KBJ 155C/ZD2621 Benz Actros. The tanker lost control overturned and caught fire. Ten people who including eight passengers in the taxi, it’s driver and the driver of the trailer tanker died on the spot.”
As investigations into the cause of the accident commence, five of the vehicles have been towed to Muwayo Police Station for inspection. Meanwhile, the molasses-loaded trailer tanker remains at the scene, guarded and awaiting offload.
The bodies of the deceased have been transported to the Bugiri hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of road safety and the devastating consequences of traffic accidents. May those who lost their lives rest in peace, and may their families find solace during this difficult time