By Our Reporter
REGIONAL
Death toll for the Kampala – Gulu Highway Accident has risen to 18 people, police reports
On Thursday night at around midnight, a bus belonging to Roblyn bus company travelling from Kampala to Gulu rammed into a stationary trailer leaving 12 people dead and over 20 injured. The trailer was being loaded at Adebe trading centre.
“It’s alleged that a bus registration number UAT 259P which belongs to Roblyn bus company was traveling from Kampala to Gulu rammed into a stationary trailer at around midnight of January 6, 2023 along Kampala-Gulu highway. The trailer was allegedly loading at Adebe trading center just one kilometer to corner Kamdini check point,” North Kyoga region police spokesperson, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema said.
12 people died on spot and 4 died after reaching at the hospital.
The injured were rushed to Atapara Hospital, Oyam district and the 12 passengers who died on spot were rushed to Anyeke hospital.
Police has named some of the victims of the accident as Akello Mary Lucy 44 year old from Kitgum, Auma Rose 47 year old from Kitgum, Oyo Francis 38 year old from Lamwo, Akanya Caroline 30 yrs old from Kitgum, Alimo Nancy 20 year old from Kitgu, Oluka Morris 28 year old from Gulu, Acele Denis 43 year old from Kitgum.
Others are Okwera David 35 year old from Kitgum, Okecha Patrick 36 year old from Zombo, Anyway Benson 55 year old from Pader, Akello Flavia 32 year old from Kitgum, Odur Albert 43 year old from Gulu, Acaye Joseph 30 year old from Gulu, Ayaa Beatrice 30 year old from Kitgum, Agwech Kevin 34 year old from Kitgum, Laker Christine 40 year old from Kitgum, Nafuna Rehema Sarah 27 year old from Mukono and Acen Proscivia 24 year old from Kitgum.
Okema said the identities other victims are not yet known since they are no able to speak.
“We pray for a speedy recovery for the injured and souls of the departed ones to Rest in eternal peace,” Okema said
Uganda has witnessed an increase in the number of road crash reports of late.
On Tuesday, the traffic police revealed that 104 road crashes were registered around the country between December 30, 2022 and January 1.
In a statement released by the Traffic Police spokesperson, ASP Faridah Nampiima, 28 of the accidents led to loss of lives.
“…49 were serious [accidents] and 27 were minor from December 30, 2022 to January 1. Out of 104 road crashes, we registered 149 victims, 35 died and 114 sustained serious injuries,” the statement read in part.
Police attributed the cause of the crashes to reckless driving where 20 fatal, 39 serious injuries and 17 minor accidents were registered.
Careless driving accounted for two serious and 10 minor injuries and four people perished as a result of unknown causes while eight others sustained serious injuries.
According to the 2021 Annual Crime and Traffic/Road Safety Report, 4,159 road accident fatalities nationwide were recorded. Of these 1,390 involved motorcycle riders while 528 were passengers on motorcycles.
