In a heartbreaking incident at 3:00 am last Friday, just a mere half kilometer from Karuma checkpoint on the Gulu-Kampala highway, three individuals lost their lives while two others sustained injuries in a grisly road accident.
Ongom David Mudong, the Aswa West Police Public Relations Officer, revealed in a statement that the collision involved a Toyota Hiace with registration number SSD 770CK, destined for Juba via Gulu from Kampala, and a Nile Star Bus heading back to Kampala from Juba, South Sudan.
Mudong clarified that the Toyota Hiace attempted to overtake another vehicle when it collided with the bus, resulting in a devastating impact on the passenger’s side of the Toyota Hiace, claiming the lives of three passengers and leaving two others injured.
Among the deceased is Aisha Namatovu, a female adult from Kasese, along with two other individuals whose identities were not immediately available.
The injured victims include Ramathan Shaban, 28, from Bombo, and another unidentified person, both sustaining serious injuries.
Authorities have attributed the cause of the accident to reckless driving by the Toyota Hiace.
The deceased were transported to Anaka Hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations, while the injured received urgent medical attention at the RG Health Facility in Karuma Town Council.
Mudong mentioned that no arrests have been made as both drivers fled the scene. According to the Police Annual Crime Report, a staggering total of 24,728 casualties were recorded from road accidents in 2023.
