KALUNGU, Uganda — A section of the Kampala–Masaka Highway undergoing road construction has emerged as a key factor in a crash that killed 14 people after a sand-laden truck crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into a passenger taxi, police said on Tuesday.
The collision happened at about 11:40pm on Monday at Kamuwunga Trading Centre in the Lwera swamp area, where road works were in progress.
According to preliminary police investigations, the driver of a Sino truck, registration UBS 040F, lost control while attempting to negotiate recently installed speed humps in the construction zone. The truck veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with a Toyota Hiace taxi, registration UA 662AQ, which was travelling towards Masaka.
The force of the impact pushed the taxi about 30 metres before both vehicles came to rest off the road, police said.
Fourteen people died in the crash.
They were identified as taxi driver Abdul Karim Ssembatya of Masaka City, Alobo Alice Gracious, 30, of Opit Town Council in Omoro District, Kizza Moses, 30, of Kyetume in Kyotera District, Natondwa Joanita, 23, of Masaka City, Namajja Aidah, 52, of Masaka City, Ssebuuma Lawrence, 34, of Mabaale Kifuufu in Kyotera District, Nabbosa Margaret, 36, of Zirobwe Town Council in Luwero District, Nabbulime Veronica and her young daughter, Kizza Moses, 27, Irora Innocent, 39, a Coca-Cola employee based in Namanve and resident of Kyegegwa Town Council, Police Sergeant Nabukeya (Force No. 44616), and two unidentified male adults.
Four others survived and were rushed to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital. They include Edward Kaiga, 22, who was travelling in the truck, two male passengers from the taxi and another unidentified passenger from the truck.
Police officers from Kalungu District, together with the Regional Traffic Officer for Masaka East and the District Police Commander, responded to the scene and coordinated rescue efforts.
The bodies were taken to the hospital mortuary while the damaged vehicles were towed to Lukaya Police Yard for inspection.
Police said the truck driver fled the scene immediately after the collision and remains on the run. Investigations are continuing.
The crash has renewed concerns about safety in road construction zones on Uganda’s highways, where motorists are increasingly required to navigate temporary traffic arrangements, speed-control measures, diversions and changing road layouts as rehabilitation works continue.
The Kampala–Masaka Highway is one of Uganda’s busiest transport corridors, linking the capital to southwestern Uganda and neighbouring Rwanda and Tanzania.
The latest tragedy follows the recent Kapchorwa school bus disaster in which 24 people, including 23 pupils and the driver, were killed after the bus plunged down Chekwatit Hill, prompting fresh debate over road safety standards, engineering measures and traffic enforcement.
Uganda continues to record thousands of road crashes every year.
While police consistently cite speeding, reckless driving and dangerous overtaking as leading causes, road safety experts have also warned that inadequate traffic management around construction sites, poor signage and sudden changes in road conditions can significantly increase the risk of serious collisions if not properly managed.
