Uganda is mourning one of its deadliest road tragedies in recent years after more than forty people were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the Kampala-Gulu Highway.
According to the Uganda Police Force, forty-six people have been confirmed dead following the collision that involved several vehicles in the early hours of Wednesday.
The fatal accident occurred around 00:15 local time when two buses traveling in opposite directions collided head-on while attempting to overtake a lorry and a smaller car.
Authorities said one of the buses swerved to avoid an impact but instead caused a chain reaction that led to multiple vehicles losing control and overturning.
Earlier reports had placed the death toll at sixty-three, but police later revised the number downward after discovering that some victims initially thought to be dead were unconscious and receiving treatment.
Police spokesperson Julius Hakiiza told the The Africa Standard that the crash was triggered by dangerous overtaking by one of the buses.
He confirmed that four vehicles were involved, including two passenger buses, a lorry, and a private car.
The Kampala-Gulu Highway, which connects Uganda’s capital in the south to the northern city of Gulu, is one of the busiest and most important transport routes in the country.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and destruction, with wreckage scattered across the road and emergency responders working through the night to rescue survivors.
Local residents and motorists joined police and Red Cross personnel in pulling victims from the twisted remains of the vehicles.
Authorities said the injured were rushed to hospitals in Kiryandongo, a western town equipped to handle mass casualty emergencies.
Police said they were coordinating with health and emergency services to confirm the number of casualties and provide timely updates to the public.
Images shared on social media showed mangled bus frames and shattered glass, as rescue workers struggled to move through the debris.
The crash has reignited public concern about road safety in Uganda, where reckless overtaking and speeding remain major causes of fatal accidents.
Uganda’s National Road Safety Council has repeatedly warned about the high rate of crashes along the Kampala-Gulu route, citing poor driving behavior and inadequate enforcement.
In recent years, several major accidents have claimed dozens of lives on the same highway, making it one of the most dangerous in East Africa.
Authorities have now urged all motorists to observe traffic rules and avoid overtaking in risky conditions.
The Uganda Police Force emphasized that reckless driving continues to account for a large percentage of fatalities on national highways.
Road safety experts say the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call for stricter enforcement of transport regulations and improved driver training.
Families of the victims have begun gathering in Kiryandongo and nearby areas to identify their loved ones and claim the bodies.
The Ministry of Works and Transport has expressed condolences to the affected families and promised to work closely with police to prevent similar disasters in the future.
As Uganda comes to terms with the loss of forty-six lives, calls are growing for tougher penalties against drivers who endanger others through reckless overtaking and speeding.
This tragic event on the Kampala-Gulu Highway underscores the urgent need for safer driving habits, better road infrastructure, and stronger enforcement to save lives on Uganda’s roads.
