Views: 5
Six killed, eight injured in Nakasongola Christmas eve crash.
Six people en route for the Christmas holiday died in a tragic road crash on Monday night at Kapaburuuli, along the Kampala-Gulu highway in Nakasongola District. The accident, which occurred around 8pm, also left eight others seriously injured.
The crash involved three vehicles: a stationary blue Iveco trailer (SSD 797A/SSD 323F), a grey Toyota Hiace taxi (UBQ 356F), and a white Toyota Premio (UAX 554L). All the vehicles were driven by unidentified drivers.
Preliminary investigations by police indicate that the trailer, which had broken down, was stationary and facing Kampala. A speeding taxi heading from Gulu rammed into the trailer before colliding with the Premio, which was coming from Kampala. The impact left four people—three adult males and one male juvenile—dead at the scene. Their identities are yet to be confirmed.
Eight passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Nakasongola Health Center IV for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the same facility for postmortem. however, two of the eight survivors later succumbed to the injuries.
Among those still nursing injuries are 19-year-old Akram from Arua, Damalie Nabaseruka, 29, Onyetu, Achol Akili, Paul Ayeni, and Allen Chol, 22.
Police officers responded promptly, documenting the incident and towing the wreckage to Migeera Police Station for further inspection.
Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson, ASP Twiineamazima Sam, confirmed the incident and attributed it to speeding and negligence. “Our preliminary findings suggest that over-speeding by the taxi driver and failure to adhere to road safety guidelines were key factors in the crash. We urge all motorists to drive cautiously, especially during this festive season when road traffic is high,” he said.
This crash follows a road safety campaign launched by police in the Savannah region in October, aimed at reducing traffic incidents. The initiative was prompted by concerning statistics that showed 21 people had died in 46 road crashes in the region that month.
“Despite our ongoing efforts to promote road safety, incidents like this highlight that some drivers are still ignoring our warnings. Road safety is a shared responsibility,” ASP Twiineamazima added.
The police have renewed their calls for caution on the roads, particularly during the festive season, urging drivers to avoid speeding and to follow all traffic regulations to prevent further tragedies.