A devastating head-on collision occurred on Saturday evening around 10:00 PM at Omukiragiro Trading Centre in Rukungiri District, Uganda. The crash involved a commuter taxi and a Perfect Bus Company bus, registration number UBN 331 G, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuring 35 others.
According to eyewitnesses, the commuter taxi was traveling from Ntungamo to Rukungiri without headlights, which likely caused the collision with the bus heading to Kampala from Rukungiri. The victims include a 5-year-old boy who was a bus passenger, a woman, and the taxi conductor. Their identities have not been confirmed.
The bodies were taken to Rwakabengo Health Center III for postmortem examinations, while the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. The police have not yet issued an official statement on the accident, which has left the community in shock.
This tragic incident highlights the alarming rate of road accidents in Uganda. According to the Uganda Police Force’s annual crime report, road crashes claimed over 2,000 lives in 2022, with many more injured. Poor road conditions, reckless driving, and inadequate lighting contribute to these statistics.
The Rukungiri-Ntungamo road, where the accident occurred, is known for its high accident rate due to its winding nature and inadequate lighting. Many commuters and drivers have expressed concerns about the road’s safety, citing the need for improved infrastructure and stricter traffic enforcement.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has been working to improve road safety by implementing measures such as speed humps, road markings, and signage. However, more needs to be done to address the root causes of these accidents.
As the investigation into the accident continues, the community is left to mourn the loss of life and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for collective action to prevent such tragedies.
