At least 46 people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a fatal road crash that occurred around midnight at Kitaleba Village, near Asili Farm, along the Kampala–Gulu Highway.
The accident involved four motor vehicles: an Isuzu bus (Nile Star Coaches) registration number UBF 614X, a Toyota Surf CGO 5132AB 07, a Tata lorry UBK 647C, and another Isuzu bus (Planet Company) registration number UAM 045V.
According to preliminary investigations, the driver of the Isuzu bus UBF 614X, travelling from Kampala towards Gulu, attempted to overtake the Tata lorry UBK 647C at the said location. At the same time, the Isuzu bus UAM 045V, travelling from the opposite direction, was also trying to overtake the Toyota Surf CGO 5132AB 07.
During these simultaneous overtaking manoeuvres, both buses collided head-on. One of the drivers swerved in an effort to avoid impact, but this led to a head-on and side collision that triggered a chain reaction, causing other vehicles to lose control and overturn several times. As a result, 63 people—occupants of the involved vehicles—died on the spot, while several others sustained injuries.
Police responded swiftly to the scene, evacuating the injured to Kiryandongo Hospital and other nearby health facilities. The bodies of the deceased were transported to the Kiryandongo Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination and identification.
“As investigations continue, we strongly urge all motorists to exercise maximum caution on the roads, particularly avoiding dangerous and reckless overtaking, which remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes in the country,” the Police said in a statement.
