By Spy Uganda
Three people lost their lives and eight others sustained injuries in a tragic road accident late Friday night along the Kampala–Gulu Highway, once again highlighting growing safety concerns on one of Uganda’s busiest transport routes.
The fatal crash occurred at around 11:30 PM at Nkondo Village in Kalule, Nyimbwa Sub-county, Luwero District, when a lorry collided head-on with a passenger taxi.
Police said the accident involved a Toyota Hiace minibus (registration UBR 333S) and a Tata lorry (registration UBG 873K). By Saturday afternoon, authorities had not yet confirmed the identities of the drivers involved.
According to Savannah Regional Police spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima, the crash was caused by a risky overtaking maneuver.
“The lorry driver, who was transporting poles towards Kampala, attempted to overtake several vehicles and ended up colliding head-on with an oncoming taxi,” he explained.
The taxi was traveling from Kampala to Amolatar District at the time of the incident.
All three victims who died on the spot were male passengers aboard the minibus. Their identities were still being verified by police as of Saturday.
The eight injured passengers were rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital and Luwero Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased were taken to Luwero Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations.
Police confirmed that investigations into the crash are ongoing, with both vehicles towed to Bombo Police Station for further inspection.
The Kampala–Gulu Highway has increasingly become a hotspot for fatal accidents, particularly at night. Authorities attribute many of these crashes to speeding, reckless driving, and dangerous overtaking especially by heavy trucks.
Just weeks ago, another deadly accident occurred along the same highway, where at least five people were killed after a bus rammed into a stationary truck.
Residents and frequent road users are now calling for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved road monitoring, and enhanced safety measures to curb the rising number of accidents.
Police have since urged all motorists to exercise caution, adhere to traffic regulations, and avoid reckless overtaking warning that a moment of impatience on the road can have irreversible consequences.
