A devastating accident occurred on the Iganga-Bugiri Highway this morning, resulting in the loss of at least 10 lives and leaving three others injured. The accident involved a taxi, registration number UBN 817H, which was traveling from Busia to Iganga when it lost control and crashed into a stationary trailer, registration number UA 647BA, at Busowa in Bugiri District.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident occurred at around 7 am in Busowa Town Council. The taxi, a Toyota Hiace, was attempting to overtake another vehicle when it collided with the stationary trailer. Preliminary investigations by the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety suggest that the taxi driver was forced to react abruptly when another vehicle approached from the opposite direction, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.
SP Michael Kananura, the spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, explained that the driver’s attempt to avoid a head-on collision ultimately led to the tragic accident. “In an effort to avoid a head-on collision, the driver swerved to the left, lost control, and rammed into a stationary trailer,” he said.
The accident claimed the life of the taxi driver, along with at least nine other passengers. Three other individuals were injured in the crash and are currently receiving medical attention. The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of their families.
The Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has launched an investigation into the accident to determine the full circumstances surrounding the crash. SP Kananura noted that the investigation is ongoing and that more information will be released as it becomes available.
The accident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for caution when driving, particularly when overtaking other vehicles. The Iganga-Bugiri Highway has been the scene of several accidents in recent months, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and adherence to traffic regulations to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
