On Tuesday evening, a tragic incident occurred along the Kampala-Fort Portal road, resulting in the death of a bus driver. According to the police, the driver, Dauda Kawawu, was operating a bus owned by Link Bus Services when he collided with a stationary broken-down trailer at Mukunyu, Kyenjojo District. The crash took place around 7:45 PM and sadly, Kawawu lost his life immediately at the scene.
Following the collision, the injured victims were promptly transported to Kyenjojo Hospital for medical treatment, as reported by SP Twesige Vincent, the regional police spokesperson for Rwenzori West. Among the injured passengers were Jamila Kabakama, Angela Natukunda, Christine Mbabazi, Emmanuel Mulisa, Namaganda Rwamimi, Regina Ojulong, Ipwate Ester, Katusabe Iren, and Biira Zulaika. A total of 11 individuals sustained severe injuries and were taken to the hospital, which is situated approximately 20 kilometers away from the crash site. Dr. Balam Kyamanywa, the acting medical superintendent at Kyenjojo Hospital, stated that five of the injured individuals were in critical condition, with many of them suffering from broken limbs.
Due to the severity of their injuries, the five critically injured patients were subsequently transferred to the Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital for further medical care. Fortunately, the remaining patients at Kyenjojo Hospital were reported to be responding well to treatment.
Christine Mbabazi, one of the survivors currently admitted at Kyenjojo Hospital, echoed the concerns raised by Parliament Speaker Anita Among regarding the presence of stationary vehicles, especially on highways, which pose significant risks to road users. Ms. Mbabazi’s plea was in line with Speaker Among’s call to the government and relevant authorities to promptly remove all abandoned vehicles from major highways to prevent accidents.
Local residents residing near Mukunyu voiced their concerns, labeling it as a neglected black spot due to numerous incidents of overturned vehicles and lives lost in the past. The crash occurred shortly after Speaker Among’s request to the police and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to clear major highways of abandoned vehicles that jeopardize road safety.
Speaker Among’s directive was issued during a plenary session following a recent road accident that claimed the life of Mr. Apollo Nyegamehe, also known as Aponye. She directed the Minister of Works and Transport to collaborate with the police and UNRA to remove parked vehicles along major highways, with the vehicle owners being responsible for the cost of towing. This action was aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future. The Speaker’s directive was also motivated by a series of road crashes resulting in the loss of prominent individuals from the political and business spheres.
Just days after Aponye’s tragic death, former Erute North MP Mr. Charles Angiro Gutomoi and three others also lost their lives in a road crash along the Karuma-Olwiyo-Pakwach-Nebbi road.
Speaker Among further urged the Ministry of Works to compile a comprehensive report detailing the government’s efforts to reduce the escalating number of road accidents in the country.
It is worth noting that this unfortunate event follows the recent directive issued by Anita Among, the Speaker of Parliament, urging the Uganda Police Force and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to remove stationary vehicles from the roads to ensure safety.
