Africa (Commonwealth Union)—A deadly road crash occurs in western Uganda. At least 46 people have died following a horrific road crash early Wednesday morning, where two buses and two other vehicles crashed. The incident happened along the busy highway to Gulu, one of northern Uganda‘s major towns, near Kiryandongo.
Police initially reported 63 deaths but later revised the number downward after discovering that some victims, previously thought to be dead, were actually alive. Dozens of others were injured and were admitted to a government hospital just nearby for treatment.
The tragedy happened shortly after midnight when the two buses, headed in opposite directions, attempted to overtake other cars simultaneously. “While overtaking, the two buses crashed head-on,” the police described, detailing horrific chain reaction, which littered the area with twisted metal and debris.
Ugandan Red Cross spokeswoman Irene Nakasiita referred to the crash as one of the worst ever in recent memory, detailing victims as having “severe injuries, shattered limbs, and unthinkable trauma.” She explained the pictures of the scene were too horrific to post on the internet. “The scale of this tragedy is overwhelming,” Nakasiita went on to say, highlighting the fact the wrecks occurred at night, making bystanders scarce to assist.
Such fatal wrecks are all too frequent in Uganda and East Africa, where tight roads, bad roads, and aggressive drivers make for a lethal combination. Statistics by the police reveal a continued increase in deaths—4,534fatalities in 2022 and 5,144 deaths in 2024—and highlight an emerging road safety emergency. Authorities blamed speed and dangerous overtaking for nearly 45% of all road wrecks last year. The police noted in their statement that they are requesting all drivers to exercise extra caution during the current investigations and avoid dangerous overtaking.
Kathy Kemigisha, child safety expert, described the incident as “appalling.” “It’s appalling,” Kemigisha told the AP. “It doesn’t make any sense. It doesn’t matter where you are, you have the road, you have the traffic, but the traffic does not have priority.”
Beyanga, organizer of national awareness walks, explained his next 60-kilometer memorial walk later this November shall be to commemorate the numerous lives lost to avoidable crashes, a poignant reminder that road safety is among the most significant public issues facing Uganda.
