Police in eastern Uganda are investigating a fatal road crash that killed one man and injured more than a dozen people, including four police officers, along the Pallisa-Tirinyi Road on Saturday.
The crash occurred at Rweta C, Nansenyi, near Victory Secondary School in Pallisa Town Council. It involved a Toyota Hiace, registration UA 310BX, and a pedestrian.
Bukedi North Regional Police spokesperson ASP Wilfred Kyempasa identified the deceased as Herbert Ekodat, a 23-year-old mechanic from Kagoli Central in Boliso I Sub-county.
Police said he died instantly after the vehicle veered off the road and landed on him in a water trench.
ASP Kyempasa confirmed that several police officers traveling in the Hiace were among the injured.
They include James AIP Okoeot, Lucky Lajara (CT Tactical), Cpl Isaac Anyou Egimo (CT Tactical), and Alex Ariong (CT Tourism).
Other injured passengers were identified as Ivan Edyou, 17, Ronald Ndakalha, 23, Catherine Biira, 32, Judith Akipo, 34, Phionah Kisaka, 27, Gerald Kizito, 49, John Omongole, 35, Mackline Kyeri Kirunda, 27, Misaki Kanyesigye, 4 months, Silver Oriokot, 10, and Viola Ajimo, 11 months.
Preliminary findings indicate the vehicle was travelling from Kampala to Amuria for an introduction ceremony when the crash occurred.
‘Upon reaching Rweta C, the vehicle’s front tyre reportedly burst, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle veered off the road, knocking the pedestrian who was walking on the opposite side and eventually landing on him in a water trench, killing him instantly,’ ASP Kyempasa said.
He added that a team led by IP Chekwoti Immaculate, the District Traffic Officer for Pallisa, visited and documented the scene.
A sketch plan was drawn, and the vehicle was later towed to Pallisa Central Police Station for inspection by the Inspector of Vehicles.
The body of the deceased was transferred to Pallisa General Hospital for a postmortem examination, where all the injured victims are also receiving treatment.
Police said inquiries into the crash were ongoing.
According to the 2024 Annual Police Crime Report, the country registered 25,107 road crashes, marking a 6.4 percent increase from 23,608 in 2023.
Fatal crashes alone rose by 6.1 percent, reaching 4,434, while serious and minor crashes also saw significant upticks.