Three killed, 8 injured in head-on crash on Kampala–Gulu highway

2026-03-22 - 04:05

At least three passengers were killed and eight others injured in a head-on collision in Luwero district along the Kampala–Gulu highway on Friday night. The crash occurred at Nkonde village in Nyimbwa sub-county, near Kalule trading centre, at around 11:30 pm. It involved a Toyota Hiace taxi, registration number UBR 333S, travelling from Kampala to Amolatar district, and a lorry, UBG 873K, loaded with poles and heading toward Kampala from the Luwero side. Savannah Regional Police spokesperson Sam Twiineamazima said the collision happened when the lorry driver attempted to overtake a long queue of vehicles, resulting in a head-on crash with the oncoming taxi. In the head-on collision, three people died on the spot and eight others were injured — all passengers in the taxi. He added that officers from Bombo police station responded to the scene and evacuated the injured to Mulago national referral hospital and Luwero hospital for treatment. The three deceased, all male, were taken to Luwero hospital mortuary for postmortem examination. “Inquiries are ongoing, and the public is urged to exercise caution on the Kampala–Gulu Highway, especially during overtaking manoeuvres, and to always adhere to speed limits and road safety rules,” Twiineamazima said. The latest crash comes barely a week after a driver and conductor of Real Bus company died in another accident in Luwero district along the same highway. The incident occurred at Kiwumpa village when the bus reportedly lost control and rammed into the rear of an Isuzu truck, killing the two instantly. The stretch between Luwero and Nakasongola districts has, in recent weeks, recorded frequent road crashes. Savannah Regional Traffic Police attribute the accidents to reckless driving, drunk driving and the narrow sections of the highway, among other factors. According to the Luwero district health report for 2024/25, at least 475 people were admitted to health centres after sustaining injuries in motorcycle-related crashes, of whom 21 died. The report also indicates that 13 of the 181 people admitted following other road accidents succumbed to their injuries.