Uganda Highway Crash Kills 46
By Kidega Livingstone
Early on Wednesday (local time), a devastating multi-vehicle crash on the busy Kampala–Gulu
Highway in Kiryandongo District claimed the lives of at least 46 people, according to a revised
tally by the Uganda Police Force.
In a press statement released by the Uganda Police seen by Juba Echo the collision happened
just after midnight near Kitaleba Village / Asili Farm, shortly after the Kigumba Bridge.
The crash involved four vehicles: two buses travelling in opposite directions, plus a lorry and an
SUV. Preliminary investigations suggest both buses were attempting to overtake other vehicles
when they collided head-on.
One of the drivers swerved in a bid to avoid the collision, triggering a chain-reaction that caused
the other vehicles to lose control and overturn.
Several people were injured and rushed to nearby medical facilities, including Kiryandongo
Hospital.
The Kampala–Gulu Highway is a major route connecting the capital, Kampala, with the northern
city of Gulu. It has narrow stretches and is known as one of Uganda’s more accident-prone
roads.
Road deaths in Uganda are on the rise: in 2024 the police recorded 5,144 fatalities on the
nation’s roads, up from 4,806 in 2023.
According to official figures, careless overtaking and speeding were responsible for about 44.5
% of all crashes in 2024.
Investigations are underway by the Uganda Police Force to determine all contributing factors —
vehicle condition, driver error, road conditions and other possible causes. Authorities have
flagged this stretch of highway as hazardous and are expected to review safety measures.
For families of the victims, identification and post-mortem work will need attention, while the
injured will require follow-up treatment and support. The tragedy highlights deep‐seated road-
safety issues: high traffic volumes on narrow roads, risky overtaking, vehicle maintenance
standards and limited emergency response capacity at night.
For travellers, especially on inter-city routes in Uganda, the crash is a stark reminder of how
hazardous road travel can be. Drivers are being urged to exercise extreme caution — especially
avoiding overtaking manoeuvres that are too risky.
