A devastating accident occurred on the evening of May 5, 2025, along the Nyenga-Kisoga stretch of the Jinja-Kampala Highway in Buikwe District. A YY Coaches bus, traveling from Kampala to Mbale, reportedly lost control, overturned several times, and then caught fire. The crash, which occurred around 5 p.m., has resulted in multiple fatalities, with many others sustaining injuries. Eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene, saying several passengers were trapped inside the burning wreckage as emergency responders rushed to the scene.
This incident adds to a disturbing pattern of accidents involving YY Coaches in recent years. The company has faced repeated criticism over its safety record, with previous crashes attributed to causes like speeding, reckless driving, and mechanical failure. In 2019, a YY bus overturned on the Iganga-Jinja highway, leaving two dead and over 40 injured. Another crash in May 2023 on Tirinyi Road claimed three more lives.
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The latest tragedy has intensified public outcry and demands for tougher enforcement of road safety laws in Uganda. Transportation authorities and civil society groups have called for stricter driver vetting, enhanced training programs, regular vehicle inspections, and the installation of speed governors in public buses. The government has introduced a set of road safety reforms in recent years, including heavier fines for traffic offenses and mandatory rest schedules for drivers on long routes.
Police have launched a full investigation into the Buikwe crash to determine what led to the accident. Preliminary reports suggest driver error—possibly due to speeding or fatigue—may have played a role. Investigators are also examining whether mechanical failure contributed to the incident.
In the aftermath of the crash, community members, humanitarian groups, and local authorities have mobilized to assist victims and their families. Blood donation campaigns and emergency fundraising drives are underway. Counseling services are being provided to the injured and to grieving relatives of those who lost their lives.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers on Uganda’s roads and the urgent need for sustained, coordinated efforts to improve public transportation safety and prevent further loss of life.
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