ALBAWABA- At least 46 people were killed early Wednesday in a devastating multi-vehicle collision on Uganda’s Kampala-Gulu highway, one of the country’s deadliest road accidents in recent years, police confirmed.
The initial death toll of 63 was later revised after several unconscious survivors were mistakenly counted among the dead.
The crash occurred around midnight in Kiryandongo district, about 220 kilometers northwest of Kampala, when two long-distance buses traveling in opposite directions collided head-on during an overtaking attempt.
The impact triggered a chain reaction involving a taxi and a truck, leaving the vehicles mangled and debris scattered across the busy highway.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and horror as rescuers worked through the night to pull victims from the wreckage. Dozens of injured passengers, many in critical condition, were rushed to nearby hospitals, overwhelming local medical facilities.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga blamed the tragedy on reckless driving and poor road conditions, noting that the Kampala-Gulu highway, a vital link between Uganda’s capital, the north, and South Sudan, is notorious for accidents caused by speeding and overloading.
President Yoweri Museveni expressed deep condolences to the victims’ families and ordered a full investigation into the crash, urging stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Authorities said those found responsible would face prosecution.
