46 Killed After Two Buses Crash Head-On in Uganda

A tragic road accident on a major Ugandan highway early Wednesday morning resulted in the deaths of 46 people, with several others injured, according to a revised statement from police. The initial death toll had been placed at 63.

Uganda is known for its poor road safety, with accidents involving buses and trucks occurring frequently on its badly maintained roads.

The latest incident took place just after midnight on the Kampala-Gulu highway in the Kiryandongo district. Police reported on X that two buses "met head-on during the overtaking manoeuvres." One of the drivers attempted to swerve to avoid the crash, which unfortunately caused a "chain reaction" leading to at least four other vehicles, including a truck and a Land Cruiser, losing control and flipping over multiple times.

The police explained the revision of the fatality count from 63 to 46 by stating that numerous victims were initially found unconscious and may have been mistakenly counted as deceased in the rush of the immediate aftermath.

Officials confirmed they are working closely with health and emergency services and will provide further updates. Local media shared images and videos showing the twisted wreckage of the two large buses under rescue lights. The injured were transported to Kiryandongo Hospital and other nearby medical facilities, though details on the number and extent of injuries were not immediately available.

President Yoweri Museveni offered his condolences to the bereaved families, calling the event a "tragic accident," and urged drivers to exercise increased caution.

Despite repeated warnings from Ugandan police to drive safely, road accidents remain a significant problem. The 2024 crime report documented a 6% rise in deadly collisions compared to the previous year, recording 4,434 fatal crashes and 5,144 deaths.

The country has seen several deadly crashes this year alone, including 10 fatalities in April when a bus overturned in western Uganda, and 20 traders killed in August after their truck rolled over. Furthermore, just last year, 26 people died when a truck overturned, caught fire, and exploded on the same Kampala-Gulu highway. Previous years also saw major incidents, such as a January crash two years ago near the Kenya-Uganda border that killed 21 and injured 49.

The entire Mjengo Hub community extends its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the 46 individuals who lost their lives in the devastating bus collision on the Kampala-Gulu highway.

This terrible loss of life serves as a solemn reminder of the critical importance of safety, quality engineering, and diligent maintenance across our entire regional infrastructure network. The roads we build and travel must be safe pathways for progress, not scenes of tragedy.

We stand in solidarity with the people of Uganda during this painful time and pray for the swift recovery of all those injured. May the memories of those lost inspire a renewed commitment to road safety standards throughout East Africa.