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At least 46 people have died following a multi-vehicle crash on Uganda’s Kampala-Gulu Highway, police confirmed on Tuesday. The accident, described as one of the country’s worst in recent years, involved several vehicles including two buses, a lorry, and a car.
The Uganda Police Force said the tragedy occurred at 00:15 local time (21:15 GMT) when the two buses, travelling in opposite directions, “met head on” while attempting to overtake two other vehicles. One of the buses reportedly swerved to avoid a collision but instead triggered a “head on and side collision” that caused a “chain reaction”, sending multiple vehicles out of control and overturning.
Police later revised the death toll from 63 to 46, clarifying that the earlier figure mistakenly included some victims who were found unconscious but alive and are now receiving treatment.
“An investigation has been launched,” police said, noting that the injured passengers had been taken to various hospitals in the nearby town of Kiryandongo.
In an official statement, authorities added that they were working closely with emergency and health services to verify casualty numbers and determine the exact cause of the disaster.
President Yoweri Museveni expressed sorrow over the incident, saying he had learnt of the tragedy “with sadness” and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. The president urged motorists to exercise greater caution to avoid similar disasters.
He also directed that each bereaved family receive five million Ugandan shillings (about $1,430; £1,070) and that one million shillings be given to each of the injured victims.
The Kampala-Gulu Highway, which connects the capital in the south to the northern city of Gulu, is one of Uganda’s busiest routes and has been the site of numerous fatal crashes.
Following the latest accident, police issued a renewed warning to motorists against “dangerous and careless overtaking,” describing it as “one of the leading causes of crashes in the country.”
