A tragic road accident has claimed the lives of six people and left many others badly injured following a deadly collision involving a passenger bus and a truck along the busy Gulu–Kampala Highway.
The heartbreaking incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Kiryandongo District, sending shock and grief across the region.
According to preliminary information from eyewitnesses and local authorities, the accident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. at California Village, a trading center located along the highway.
At the time of the crash, most passengers on board the bus were reportedly asleep, making the sudden impact even more devastating.
The accident involved a bus belonging to Mega Bus Company and a Sino truck that was reportedly traveling in the opposite direction.
The passenger bus had departed from Gulu City shortly after midnight and was heading to Kampala with dozens of travelers on board.
Sources familiar with the incident revealed that the bus was carrying approximately 53 passengers at the time of the crash.
Many of these passengers were traders, students, and families traveling to the capital city for various reasons including business and medical appointments.
Residents living near the scene of the accident said they were awakened by a loud bang that echoed through the quiet night.
When they rushed to the highway, they found the two vehicles badly damaged and passengers crying for help.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and heartbreaking, with injured passengers trapped inside the wreckage while others lay along the roadside waiting for assistance. Some survivors were reportedly in severe pain as they struggled to move.
Among the six people who lost their lives in the crash were the bus conductor and a young toddler. The death of the child has particularly saddened many people who learned about the tragic incident.
Several passengers sustained serious injuries, including broken limbs, deep cuts, and head injuries. Some of the injured were rescued by good Samaritans and nearby residents before emergency teams arrived at the scene.
The injured victims were quickly transported to Kiryandongo Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Health workers at the facility worked throughout the early morning hours to stabilize the critically injured passengers.
Hospital sources said many victims arrived in critical condition and required immediate attention. Medical teams had to act quickly to save lives while also attending to the growing number of injured survivors.
Meanwhile, the bodies of those who died in the accident were also taken to the same hospital mortuary. Families of the victims have since begun arriving at the hospital to identify their loved ones.
A staff member from Mega Bus Company, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the bus had indeed left Gulu City shortly after midnight before the tragic accident occurred along the highway.
Preliminary reports also indicate that the driver of the bus, identified as Kilama, fled the scene shortly after the crash. Authorities say he remains at large and efforts are underway to locate him.
Police sources have launched investigations to establish the exact cause of the accident. Road crashes along the Gulu–Kampala highway have been a major concern for authorities due to the increasing number of vehicles using the route.
Some road users believe that reckless driving, fatigue, and poor visibility at night could have contributed to the crash. However, investigators say it is still too early to determine the real cause of the collision.
The Gulu–Kampala Highway is one of the busiest roads in northern Uganda, connecting major towns and facilitating trade and travel between the northern region and the capital city.
Local leaders in Kiryandongo District have expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life and have called on drivers to exercise greater caution while using the highway, especially during night travel.
Road safety experts continue to warn that night travel poses serious risks due to reduced visibility and driver fatigue. They have urged transport companies to ensure drivers get adequate rest before long-distance journeys.
As investigations continue, the accident has once again raised concerns about road safety in Uganda. Many citizens are now calling for stronger enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
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