Kiryandongo: A devastating road accident on Uganda’s Kampala–Gulu Highway early Tuesday morning has left 46 people dead and several others injured, according to local authorities. The collision occurred shortly after midnight in Kiryandongo district, near the northern city of Gulu, involving two buses that reportedly attempted to overtake other vehicles, including a lorry and a sport utility vehicle.
Initial reports suggested a much higher death toll of 63, but the Uganda Police Force later clarified that some individuals found at the scene were unconscious rather than deceased, leading to a revised count. Authorities emphasized the importance of accurate reporting in the aftermath of such tragic incidents.
President Yoweri Museveni, who was campaigning nearby for the January general election, expressed his deep condolences to the victims and their families. In a statement, he urged both drivers and passengers to exercise extreme caution on the roads, highlighting the broader issue of traffic safety across the nation.
The accident has once again drawn attention to Uganda’s road safety challenges, particularly regarding reckless overtaking and speeding on major highways. Road safety advocates have called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved driver training, and greater public awareness to prevent such catastrophic accidents in the future.
Emergency response teams rushed to the scene to provide medical aid, and survivors were quickly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the collision, aiming to prevent similar tragedies along the heavily trafficked Kampala–Gulu route.