Police in Lwengo District are investigating a devastating car crash that claimed the lives of three family members, leaving them burnt to ashes along the Masaka–Mbarara highway on Saturday.
The accident occurred at Kyabbogo Village in Kkingo Sub County, Lwengo District, when a Fuso truck with registration number UBA 414P collided with a Toyota Mark X, registered as UBP 460P. According to witnesses, the vehicles burst into flames upon impact.
The Fuso truck, loaded with tiles, was traveling from Kampala towards Mbarara, while the Toyota Mark X, carrying four occupants, was heading towards Masaka City. The collision resulted in a fiery explosion, leaving three of the car’s occupants dead.
The deceased have been identified as Collin Kityo, 21, and Lauben Mwine, 27, both residents of Sembabule District, and Vincent Lubega, 35, the driver, who was a resident of Bukomansimbi District. Their bodies were burned beyond recognition. The identity of the sole survivor from the car has not yet been released.
The occupants of the Fuso truck, who sustained varying degrees of injuries, have been identified as brothers Mahadi Kizito, 41, Saad Kizito, 32, and Wahab Kizito, 21.
Simon Kitonsa, an eyewitness, attributed the crash to speeding by the driver of the Toyota Mark X. “If the driver of the saloon car was not speeding, maybe such lives could have been saved,” he said.
Fred Ddumba, a relative of the deceased, shared that the four individuals had left Kyajubira Village in Lwengo District to spend a night at a discotheque in Masaka City. “One of their sisters had an introduction ceremony on Saturday, so they chose to enjoy themselves in Masaka for the night. It is unfortunate they didn’t reach their destination,” he said.
Southern Police spokesperson, Mr. Twaha Kasirye, stated that the traffic department is still investigating the exact cause of the crash. “We are yet to establish what exactly caused this particular crash. As always, we advise motorists to avoid distractions such as making phone calls, eating, and drinking while driving. These are some of the major causes of road carnage on our roads,” he emphasized.
The 2023 Police Annual Crime Report revealed a 30 percent increase in fatal crashes, rising to 4,179 in 2023 from 3,210 in 2022. A total of 528,025 road crashes were recorded in 2023, compared to 456,993 in 2022.
