Tragedy on Uganda’s Highways: 46 Dead in Fatal Multi-Vehicle Collision

Kampala, Uganda — At least 46 people were killed early Wednesday after two passenger buses and two smaller vehicles collided head-on in a catastrophic accident on a major highway in western Uganda. Authorities described the crash as one of the deadliest road disasters in the East African nation’s recent history.

Initially, Ugandan police reported 63 fatalities, but later revised the number downward after discovering that several people initially presumed dead were still alive.

“At the time of the crash, several victims were found unconscious, and some may have been mistakenly included in the initial fatality count,” the Uganda Police Force said in an official statement.

---

Deadly Collision on the Kampala–Gulu Highway

The crash occurred just after midnight local time along the Kampala–Gulu highway, a busy route connecting the capital city to northern Uganda. According to police, two bus drivers traveling in opposite directions attempted to overtake other vehicles simultaneously — resulting in a devastating head-on collision.

Four vehicles were involved in total.

“One of the drivers swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle, leading to a chain reaction of collisions,” police reported. “Several vehicles overturned multiple times, leaving dozens trapped inside.”

Grisly images shared by the Uganda Police on social media showed mangled bus frames and debris scattered across the highway as rescue workers and bystanders rushed to pull victims from the wreckage.

---

Survivors Describe a Scene of Chaos and Desperation

Eyewitnesses and first responders described a horrific scene, with bodies strewn across the road and dozens suffering severe injuries.

“The magnitude of this incident is so big,” said Irene Nakasiita, spokesperson for the Uganda Red Cross. “Many victims had broken limbs and deep cuts — it was too gruesome to photograph.”

She added that nighttime accidents often make rescue efforts more difficult.

“At night, even bystanders are not there to help,” she said.

Most of the injured were rushed to Kiboga General Hospital and nearby clinics, where doctors worked through the night to stabilize survivors.

---

Uganda’s Growing Road Safety Crisis

Fatal traffic accidents are alarmingly common in Uganda, a country where narrow roads, poor lighting, speeding, and lax law enforcement contribute to thousands of deaths every year.

According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report, 5,144 people died in road crashes in 2024, a sharp increase from 4,806 in 2023 and 4,534 in 2022 — underscoring a worrying trend in road safety decline.

Nearly 45% of all accidents are caused by careless overtaking and speeding, police said.

“These crashes are a cruel reminder that we still have a long way to go,” said Joseph Beyanga, a well-known road safety advocate who campaigns under the name Joe Walker.

He criticized what he called the “total absence of enforcement” on Uganda’s roads.

“What’s happening on the roads is anarchy,” Beyanga said, calling for stronger penalties for reckless drivers and tighter controls on nighttime transport operations.

---

Government and Community Response

In response to the latest tragedy, Ugandan authorities have promised a full investigation and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws.

Police urged drivers to avoid dangerous overtaking, adhere to speed limits, and inspect vehicles regularly before travel — especially for long-distance night journeys.

Meanwhile, Beyanga announced that his next awareness walk, scheduled for next month, will cover over 37 miles from Kampala into the countryside in memory of victims killed or injured in road accidents across Uganda.

“We walk for every soul lost on our roads,” he said. “Until we change our attitude toward safety, tragedies like this will keep happening.”