A tragic road accident along the Mbale-Soroti Highway has left four people dead and several others injured following a head-on collision involving a Gateway passenger bus and a fuel tanker in Bukedea District. The horrific crash, which happened on Friday morning, October 30, 2026, has once again raised concerns about road safety on Uganda’s major highways.
The accident occurred at Okuma in Bukedea District when a Scania Gateway bus, registration number UA 359AN, collided with a fuel tanker bearing registration numbers KDW154U/ZJ2266. The bus, operated by Gateway Bus Company, was reportedly travelling towards Soroti with several passengers on board, while the tanker was heading in the opposite direction towards Mbale.
The collision was reportedly so severe that four people lost their lives at the scene, while several passengers sustained injuries. The crash left other road users shocked as emergency efforts were launched to rescue survivors and transport the injured to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
ASP Sowanyala Obadiya, the South Kyoga Regional Traffic Officer, confirmed the incident and said four people had been confirmed dead. However, he revealed that police had not yet established the identities of the deceased as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident continued.
According to the traffic officer, approximately 15 passengers who were travelling aboard the Gateway bus were rushed to Bukedea Teaching Hospital, where they received medical attention. Other injured victims were taken to Bukedea Health Centre IV for treatment as medical teams worked to attend to those affected by the crash.
Preliminary information suggests that the fuel tanker may have crossed into the lane occupied by the passenger bus, leading to the deadly head-on collision. However, police have not yet established the exact cause of the accident and are continuing with investigations to determine how the two vehicles ended up crashing into each other.
ASP Obadiya explained that the tanker was travelling from Soroti towards Mbale, while the Gateway bus was heading towards Soroti. Investigators are expected to examine the scene and gather additional information from witnesses and other relevant sources to establish the events that led to the tragedy.
The Bukedea accident has left families worried about their loved ones and renewed public concern over the increasing dangers faced by passengers travelling on Uganda’s highways. As police continue their investigations, motorists and commercial transport operators are being reminded of the importance of lane discipline, careful driving and observing road safety regulations to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
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