Eight people are confirmed dead and 13 others injured after a Gagaa bus on a return journey from Lira rammed into a stationary trailer at Kaluule near Bombo in Luwero district.
Six of the victims died on the spot and two others died in Mulago hospital. The dead include two special police constables attached to Kalule Police Post in Luweero.
Two prison warders Susan Akello and Betty Odolla all from Lira are among the dead. The two were on their way to Luzira prison to attend a three-month refresher course. The driver of the bus only identified as Okello is also among the dead.
The bodies have been taken to Bombo Hospital Mortuary.
The accident occurred when the Gagaa bus Registration Number UAL 158Z swerved to the right of the road to avoid a head-on collision with an on-coming Fuso lorry. The bus then rammed into a stationary trailer registration number CT 998B. The two SPCs, Emmanuel Lwanga and another one who is yet to be identified, were reportedly deployed to guard the stationary trailer that had broken down three days earlier.
The road on both sides was blocked and was only opened after police from Kampala towed away the vehicles.
After the 5am accident, victims were rushed to Mulago hospital. Among those who were rushed to Mulago is Aisha Bin Abdu, a businesswoman from Baragalo in Lira, Santa Ajuko, Bosco Odida all from Lira, who sustained injuries in the chest and a fractured leg.
Also injured is Shadrack Bisaso, Amos Ayo from Lumba in Lira Joan Kia, and George Oculi, who all sustained fractured legs.
At Mulago casualty ward Doctors were attending to patients with fractured limbs while those who suffered minor injuries were waiting outside.
The Chairman Uganda Bus Driver and Allied Association – UBDAA, Hannington Kiwanuka blamed the accident on the police. Kiwanuka said he had informed the police in Matugga about the existence of four stationary trailers and a tipper lorry at Kalule.
Sounding disappointed, Kiwanuka said if the traffic police manning the Kafu and Corner Kamudini road blocks had done their work this accident would have been avoided. According to him, this particular bus left Kampala for Lira at 3pm on Sunday and questioned how the same driver was driving back to Kampala at 5am on Monday.
Police traffic commissioner, Stephen Kasiima says police had deployed SPCs to guard the trailer adding that they tried to tow away the truck but they failed because it was loaded. It was reportedly carrying cow peas.
