At least 12 people lost their lives in a devastating road accident in Bugiri District after a commuter taxi collided head-on with a trailer late Sunday night.
The crash occurred around 10 p.m. at Lwaba Village in Kapyanga Sub-county along the busy Jinja–Malaba Highway.
The taxi, a Toyota Hiace with registration number UBQ 772A, was en route from Kampala to Tororo when it crashed into a trailer carrying a container, registration KBM 175S, heading from Malaba.
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Preliminary police investigations suggest the collision may have been caused by a motorcycle rider who attempted to overtake the trailer from the opposite lane. The boda boda, traveling from Bugiri Town to Busowa Town Council, reportedly swerved into the path of the taxi, sparking the deadly crash.
Nine individuals died instantly, while another passed away while being rushed to the hospital. The boda boda rider and their passenger were also killed on the spot.
Busoga East Police spokesperson Michael Kafayo confirmed the fatalities and said investigations were ongoing to determine the full details of the incident.
“Twelve people have been confirmed dead, and we are in the process of identifying the victims and notifying their families,” Kafayo said.
Police have sealed off the scene and are working with local leaders to gather statements from witnesses and collect more evidence.
Emergency responders faced a challenging operation as they worked late into the night to recover bodies from the wreckage.
Authorities continue to caution road users on the Jinja–Malaba Highway to drive carefully, particularly at night when visibility is poor and the road is frequently used by heavy trucks.
The deceased were taken to the Bugiri Hospital mortuary, and police have urged anyone with missing family members to visit the facility. Although traffic was briefly disrupted, it has since returned to normal.
This tragic incident ranks among the most fatal crashes reported in the region in recent months, highlighting the ongoing dangers on Uganda’s major highways.
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