Fear and concern have gripped parents, students and teachers after four students from St Peter’s Secondary School Naalya were injured in a serious road accident along the busy Kampala–Gulu Highway in Nakasongola District.
The accident happened on Sunday morning at around 9:30am in Kakindu Village, Wabinyonyi Sub-county, an area that has in recent years witnessed several deadly crashes involving passenger vehicles and heavy trucks.
According to preliminary police findings, the collision involved three vehicles, including a white Fuso Super Great fuel tanker, a Rosa Coaster and a Toyota Hiace ambulance that was travelling behind the passenger vehicle.
Authorities identified the fuel tanker as registration number UBQ 935Y, the Rosa Coaster as UBQ 073H and the ambulance as UBK 257F.
Police spokesperson for Savannah Region, Sam Twiineamazima, explained that the crash reportedly occurred when the driver of the Coaster attempted a dangerous overtaking maneuver while travelling from the Gulu direction toward Kampala.
Investigators believe the driver tried to overtake a trailer but miscalculated the distance and drifted into the opposite lane, directly into the path of the oncoming fuel tanker.
The impact resulted in a violent head-on collision that left the passenger vehicle badly damaged and caused panic among motorists and residents who rushed to the scene moments later.
The ambulance travelling behind the Coaster was also caught up in the accident, adding to the chaos as emergency responders struggled to rescue the injured victims from the wreckage.
Police confirmed that four female students from St Peter’s SS Naalya sustained injuries during the crash and were immediately rushed to Kampala for specialized medical treatment.
The injured students were identified as Christabella Awori, Claudia Namukisa, Margret Atwine and Prudence Tumugabirwe, all of whom were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Their condition sparked concern among family members, classmates and the wider school community as news of the incident spread rapidly across social media platforms and messaging groups.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as terrifying, with shattered vehicle parts scattered across the highway while motorists stopped to assist the injured before police arrived.
The damaged Rosa Coaster and the ambulance were later towed to Katuugo Police Station for inspection as investigations into the crash officially commenced.
Meanwhile, the fuel tanker reportedly remained at the accident scene for several hours as authorities organized safe procedures to offload the fuel before towing the heavy vehicle away.
Police stated that all vehicles involved in the crash would undergo mechanical inspection as part of ongoing investigations aimed at establishing the exact circumstances surrounding the accident.
Authorities have since attributed the preliminary cause of the crash to careless overtaking, which remains one of the leading causes of road accidents on Uganda’s highways.
Sam Twiineamazima urged motorists to exercise patience and caution while driving, especially on busy highways frequently used by cargo trucks, buses and fuel tankers.
He also reminded drivers to respect road signs, observe speed limits and avoid risky overtaking maneuvers that endanger both passengers and other road users.
The accident came only a day after angry residents in Luweero District temporarily blocked sections of the Kampala–Gulu Highway to protest the increasing number of deadly road crashes in the area.
Residents reportedly demanded urgent government intervention, including installation of speed humps and stronger traffic enforcement measures to improve safety along one of Uganda’s busiest and most dangerous highways.
As investigations continue, many Ugandans are once again questioning whether enough is being done to protect travellers on major highways where reckless driving continues to claim lives and leave countless families devastated.
