A Kampala-Gulu Highway accident occurred on Sunday night, resulting in the deaths of five people and injuries to six others. This tragic incident happened at Kyalweza village in Nakasongola District, which raises urgent concerns about road safety in the area.
The head-on collision involved two vehicles: a Toyota Hiace with registration number UA 415V and a Nissan vehicle registered as UBL 615T. According to Mr. Sam Twineamazima, spokesperson for the Savannah Region Police, an unidentified driver operated the Toyota Hiace. This driver crossed into the opposing lane at high speed. Consequently, this reckless act led to a devastating crash with the Nissan vehicle.
“All five fatalities occurred on the spot,” Mr. Twineamazima stated. Meanwhile, the six survivors received prompt care at Kiryandongo Hospital and Nakasongola Health Centre IV. Authorities transported the deceased to Nakasongola Health Centre IV for postmortem examinations.
Furthermore, the Kyalweza section of the Kampala-Gulu Highway is notorious for accidents. In fact, it features several road crash blackspots, including Bujaabe, Kyamukonwa, and Katuugo. Recent statistics reveal a disturbing trend. For instance, at least 11 people died in road accidents along this stretch between May and June 2025. As traffic increases, the Kampala-Gulu Highway becomes even more dangerous for drivers and passengers.
In addition, the Uganda Police released its annual traffic report in February 2025. This report highlighted a troubling rise in road accidents. Specifically, in 2024, authorities recorded 25,107 road crashes, which is an increase from 23,876 in 2023, marking a 6.4% rise. Among these incidents, 4,434 resulted in fatalities. Thus, the total number of casualties reached 25,808, with 5,144 deaths—up from 4,806 in 2023.
After the recent Kampala-Gulu Highway accident, Mr. Twineamazima announced that ongoing investigations are underway. Authorities are working diligently to determine the exact circumstances of this tragic event. He urged drivers to exercise caution and emphasized the importance of avoiding speeding and dangerous overtaking. Therefore, these actions can help prevent further tragedies.
Ultimately, the recent Kampala-Gulu Highway accident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for better road safety in Uganda. As authorities continue their investigations, it is crucial for all drivers to adhere to traffic regulations. By doing so, they can help prevent more tragedies on this dangerous stretch of road.
Read: Four siblings die as saloon car rams into bus in Kampala-Masaka road crash
