This morning, a tragic accident on the Mbarara Lyantode road claimed the lives of two football players from the Kitunga League, who were also students at Bishop Stuart University.
The victims have been named as Asuman Kilabala, also known as Kibazo, a player for Potts Football Club and resident of Kabwohe Sheema district, and Ashiru Agaba, a player for Kahonda Football Club from Kanyampumo Kajara. Both teams are participants in the Kitunga League.
The Kitunga League was established by the alumni of Muntuyera High School Kitunga, located in Ntungamo district.
The accident, which took place on Sunday morning at Akyapa on the Mbarara Lyantonde road, involved two vehicles: a silver Toyota Spacio with the registration number UBC 554D, and a white Tata lorry with the registration number UBH 961W. The lorry was driven by Gessa Abaala Abdala, a 41-year-old resident of Gaba Bukunja in Buikwe District. The driver of the Toyota Spacio has not yet been identified.
According to reports, the Toyota Spacio was travelling from Mbarara towards Kampala when the driver lost control due to excessive speed, veered out of his lane, and collided with the Tata Lorry coming from the opposite direction.
Eyewitness Marvin Orishaba alleges that the Toyota Spacio was being driven at high speed and ended up on the wrong side of the road while taking a corner.
Rwizi region police spokesperson Samson Kasasira confirmed that two occupants of the Toyota Spacio died instantly, while two others sustained serious injuries.
Davies Mishare, the coordinator of the Kitunga League, revealed that the two victims were scheduled to play in today’s matches between Potts FC and Kyasha FC, and Kahonda FC against Omuti FC. As a result of the tragedy, the games have been postponed to allow for the victims’ funerals.
Kasasira also stated that the bodies were taken to Kasambya mortuary in Lyantonde District for postmortem examinations, while the injured were rushed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in critical condition by good Samaritans. Efforts to identify the victims are ongoing.
The vehicles involved in the accident have been towed to Sanga Police Station, where they await inspection by the Inspector of Vehicles.