A landlord in Wakiso District is seeking over 200 million shillings in compensation after a Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) truck swerved off the road and crashed into his building in Kagoma township on July 2.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred around 1:30 pm when the driver of the UPDF truck (registration number H4DF 2945 Tata) lost control while traveling from Kampala to Bombo.
Mr. Charles Mubiru Mutebi, who was in the shop at the time, recounted how the truck veered off the Bombo-Kampala highway and into his building. He escaped without injuries, but his electronics shop suffered significant damage, including the destruction of items like electric kettles and a popcorn machine.
The driver of the truck sustained minor injuries and was bleeding.
The building owner, Mr. Paddy Kakumba, learned of the incident from a tenant and found the structure severely damaged. He explained that the truck had compromised a supporting beam, and once removed, the building would likely collapse. All four rooms in the building had developed cracks.
Mr. Kakumba urged the UPDF to cooperate and provide compensation for the damage.
Lawrence Nuwabiine, the director of traffic and road safety, confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation into the cause of the accident was underway. Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, the UPDF spokesperson, assured that if the investigation found the UPDF at fault, the building owner would be compensated.