KALUNGU- 8 people have been confirmed dead in a tragic accident on the Kampala-Masaka highway on Sunday morning, September 1st 2024.
The accident happened when the Rwanda bound bus collided with a Canter Tipper truck at the notorious Kabaale-Bugonzi valley in Kalungu District.
According to Police, the accident happened on Sunday morning at around 1 a.m., involved a Jaguar bus, registration number UBP 964T that was heading to Rwanda, and a Canter Tipper truck, reg number UAV 988N, traveling from Masaka to Kampala.
Eyewitnesses told www.informer.co.ug reporter that the driver of the speeding Jaguar bus lost control while navigating a sharp corner, leading to a fatal collision with the Canter Tipper. The impact was so severe that the bus overturned multiple times before coming to a stop, trapping passengers inside.
The deceased have been identified as Teopista Amaali, 39; Edrine Atushabomwe, 35; Moses Awanyi Okello, 46; Mark Munyandamusa, 53; Everine Natukunda, 31; Liz Akaliza, 28; Steven Kainamula, 51; and an individual identified only as Acham.
Survivors of the crash recounted the terrifying moments following the collision. Tony Akizimaana, one of the survivors, described the chaotic scene: “After the bus collided with the tipper, it fell in the middle of the road and overturned. The tires were up. I was heading to Burundi, and I managed to rescue a child, but sadly, her mother died.”
Another survivor, who was traveling with her twin children, recalled the harrowing experience: “I was with my sister and her child. We survived, but my sister didn’t, and the person sitting next to me also died. I was seated in the middle, and it all happened so fast.”
Carolyne Awanyi, a teacher at King David International School in Rwanda, shared her grief over the loss of her husband, Moses Awanyi, who was also on the bus with their three children. “I was sleeping when I suddenly heard a loud noise and realized the bus was turning over. My husband suggested we sit at the back because we had three children, and there was more space. Unfortunately, he died instantly. I don’t know what to do next,” she said, holding back tears.
In the aftermath of the accident, both drivers reportedly fled the scene, and their whereabouts are currently unknown. The police have launched a manhunt to apprehend them.
This stretch of the Kampala-Masaka highway, particularly the Kabale-Bugonzi corner, has a notorious reputation for accidents, often attributed to reckless driving, especially by bus drivers who frequently speed and overtake dangerously. Residents have dubbed it a “horror spot” due to the frequent crashes.
Regional police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed the incident and attributed the crash to reckless driving. He urged that the tragic event should serve as a wake-up call for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations on this highway.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Meanwhile, the bus and Canter Tipper involved in the accident have been impounded at Masaka Police Station as investigations continue.
The accident comes days after another crash that claimed 10 lives when a Gateway bus collided with a Fuso loaded with Maize flour in Lwengo District.
