Police in Uganda on Wednesday mistakenly declared 17 survivors of a road crash dead after two buses collided in Kiryandongo District.
In their initial statement, police reported that at least 63 people had been confirmed dead and several injured after two buses belonging to different transport companies collided at Kitaleeba Village along the Kampala-Gulu highway.
A Toyota Land Cruiser and a lorry truck also overturned at the scene, killing some of their occupants as the two buses reportedly tried to overtake at the wrong spot.
“The fatal crash involved four motor vehicles; UBF 614X Isuzu bus (Nile Star Coaches), CGO 5132AB 07 Toyota Surf, UBK 647C Tata Lorry and UAM 045V, Isuzu bus (Planet Company),” said the PRO director of traffic and road safety, SP Michael Kananura.
However, hours after the 8 am statement, police said some of the injured had been mistakenly declared dead after they were found unconscious.
“We confirm that the total number of fatalities resulting from the tragic fatal crash along the Kampala-Gulu Highway at Kitaleeba Village stands at 46, according to the latest update from the hospital. At the time of the crash, several victims were found unconscious, and some may have been mistakenly included in the initial fatality count. We are working in close coordination with health and emergency services to ensure accurate and timely updates as the situation develops,” reads part of the updated statement issued following the 12:15 am Wednesday crash.
President Museveni has directed the State House Comptroller to give Shs5 million to each bereaved family and Shs1 million to the injured.
“I have learnt with sadness about the tragic accident that occurred this morning along the Kampala-Gulu highway, claiming many lives. I extend my condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a quick recovery. I have directed the State House Comptroller to give Shs 5m to each bereaved family and Shs 1m to the injured. I urge all road users to exercise utmost caution to prevent such tragedies. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace,” Mr Museveni posted on X.
According to their recently released annual crime report, police recorded 25,107 road traffic crashes in 2024, reflecting a 6.4 percent increase from 2023. There were 25,808 casualties in 2024, compared to 24,728 the previous year, marking a 4.4 percent rise. More crashes were reported during daylight than at night, with the highest number (3,780) occurring between 6pm and 8pm.
Fatal crashes (894) were also most frequent during this time. Sundays saw the most accidents in 2024 (3,790), followed by Saturdays (3,765) and Mondays (3,686). Tuesdays recorded the fewest (3,330). Collisions with pedestrians accounted for 19.5 percent of all crashes. Rear-end collisions and sideswipes made up 16.2 percent and 17.7 percent, respectively, while head-on collisions and angle crashes constituted 13 percent and 10.5 percent. At least 9 percent of all crashes involved a single vehicle. Other collisions included those with parked vehicles (1.6 percent), objects on the road (1.5 percent), objects off the road (1.8 percent), and animals (0.8 percent).