KAMPALA, Uganda — At least 18 people have been killed and several others injured in a series of road crashes across Uganda in the past week, prompting police to warn motorists against speeding, reckless overtaking and driving at night while fatigued.
The crashes involved commuter taxis, buses, trucks and other vehicles, with preliminary police investigations pointing to speeding, careless overtaking and reckless driving as major contributing factors.
“Drivers are reminded to remain vigilant, anticipate pedestrian movement in trading centres and always drive at speeds that allow them to stop safely,” Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura said.
The deadliest crash occurred on 3 August at Kamuwunga Trading Centre along the Lwera stretch near Lukaya, where a commuter taxi collided head-on with a Sino truck at about 11:40pm.
Police said 13 people, including the taxi driver, were killed and four others injured. The truck driver, identified as Ibra Kiyega Mukasa, was among those injured.
Investigators allege the truck had drifted into the taxi’s lane while both vehicles were travelling at high speed.
Mukasa was charged with 16 counts relating to causing death and bodily injuries through reckless driving, according to police.
He was initially treated under police guard after the crash and has since been discharged to appear in court.
In a separate crash at Kakira along the Jinja-Iganga Highway, three people, including a commuter taxi driver, died after a taxi rammed into a moving truck from behind at about 10pm.
Ten other people were injured, with police identifying excessive speed as a suspected major cause.
Another serious collision occurred at Kamengo along the Masaka Highway at about 4am, when a Global Bus collided with a Sino truck.
Police said the bus driver, identified as Ssejjuko Patrick, was overtaking other vehicles when he collided with the oncoming truck. Both drivers were injured.
Ssejjuko is under police guard and is expected to face charges of causing bodily injuries through reckless driving after he is discharged from hospital, police said.
The latest fatal crash occurred at Namulanda along Entebbe Road at about 2am on Friday, when two vehicles collided after one allegedly crossed from its lane. One of the vehicles was carrying employees of Next Media.
Two people died at the scene and several others were injured. Police said investigations are continuing.
Police said the crashes highlighted a particular danger on Uganda’s roads: night travel, when reduced visibility makes it harder for drivers to detect pedestrians, vehicles and other hazards in time.
Fatigue also increases the risk, police said, as tired drivers can have slower reaction times and may lose control of their vehicles.
The force urged motorists to avoid unnecessary night journeys and, where travel is unavoidable, to rest before setting off, maintain safe speeds and ensure headlights, brake lights and indicators are functioning properly.
Drivers were also warned against dangerous overtaking and urged to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead.
Police called on motorists to put safety ahead of speed, warning that arriving late is preferable to not arriving at all.
