One person has been confirmed dead following a tragic collision between a passenger train and a motor vehicle at Wankoko Railway Crossing along Spring Road in Kampala.
The crash occurred on Friday, 19 December 2025, at around 5:25pm, within the jurisdiction of Jinja Road Police. According to police, a passenger train traveling from Kampala toward Mukono struck a Mitsubishi Pajero, registration number UBF 582X, which was heading from the Luzira side toward Kampala.
The Kampala Metropolitan deputy spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, said the impact reportedly forced the vehicle off the road, with the train pushing it for approximately 200 meters.
The vehicle was carrying four occupants: two adults, identified as Mathew Gardener and Savana Gardener, and two children.
All are United States citizens working with an NGO known as Baptism Mission in Uganda.
The injured were rushed to Rubis Hospital along the Lugogo Bypass for treatment. However, Savana Gardener, who was seated in the co-driver’s position, was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Preliminary police investigations suggest that the crash may have been caused by careless driving and failure to obey hand signals issued by a railway police officer who was on duty at the crossing. Authorities emphasize that these findings are still preliminary and may change as investigations continue.
Owoyesiyire noted that Railway Police officers visited and documented the scene, and statements recorded from witnesses.
The Uganda Police Force has extended its condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
