President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has expressed deep sorrow following a tragic road accident along the Kampala–Gulu Highway that claimed 46 lives and left several others injured early Wednesday morning.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Museveni extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He also directed the State House Comptroller to provide Shs 5 million to each bereaved family and Shs 1 million to the injured.
“I have learnt with sadness about the tragic accident that occurred this morning along the Kampala–Gulu highway, claiming many lives. I extend my condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a quick recovery,” Museveni wrote.
“I have directed the State House Comptroller to give Shs 5m to each bereaved family and Shs 1m to the injured. I urge all road users to exercise utmost caution to prevent such tragedies.”
According to the Uganda Police Force, the fatal crash occurred at 12:15 a.m. at Kitaleba Village, near Asili Farm, and involved four vehicles — two Isuzu buses belonging to Nile Star Coaches and Planet Company, a Toyota Surf, and a Tata lorry.
Police reports indicate that both buses were overtaking at the same time from opposite directions, resulting in a head-on collision that triggered a chain reaction, causing the other vehicles to lose control and overturn.
“One of the drivers swerved in an attempt to avoid collision, but this resulted in a head-on and side collision, causing a chain reaction that led to other vehicles losing control and overturning several times,” police said in a statement.
Emergency teams responded swiftly, transporting the injured to Kiryandongo Hospital and nearby medical centers. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the same hospital mortuary for post-mortem and identification.
Police initially reported 63 fatalities, but later clarified that 46 deaths had been confirmed, as several victims earlier counted as dead were found unconscious at the scene.
Authorities have launched investigations into the crash and warned drivers against reckless overtaking, which remains one of the major causes of fatal road accidents in Uganda.
“We strongly urge all motorists to exercise maximum caution on the roads, especially avoiding dangerous and careless overtaking,” the police added.
The Kampala–Gulu highway, a key transport corridor connecting central and northern Uganda, has seen several fatal crashes in recent years, prompting renewed calls for improved road safety awareness and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.
