A devastating bus collision on the Kampala-Gulu Highway has left at least 63 people dead in one of the deadliest road disasters in Uganda’s recent history. The tragic crash occurred late Tuesday night near Kiryandongo District, when a long-distance passenger bus traveling from Kampala to Gulu reportedly collided head-on with a truck carrying fuel before a third vehicle, a commuter taxi, rammed into the wreckage. The impact was catastrophic, leaving mangled metal and bodies strewn across the roadway.
Emergency responders described a harrowing scene, as survivors screamed for help and flames engulfed parts of the bus. Many victims were burned beyond recognition, complicating identification efforts. Police and Uganda Red Cross officials confirmed that several of the deceased included women and children, while
dozens of others sustained life-threatening injuries and were rushed to Kiryandongo and Mulago National Referral hospitals.Preliminary investigations suggest that reckless driving and possible fatigue played major roles in the crash. Witnesses say the truck may have veered into the opposite lane, leaving the bus driver with no time to react.
Authorities have launched a full inquiry and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.President Yoweri Museveni has expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering condolences to the bereaved families and pledging government support for the victims. Flags are expected to be flown at half-mast as the nation mourns.This horrific incident underscores ongoing concerns
about road safety in Uganda, where poorly maintained highways, over-speeding, and limited enforcement continue to claim hundreds of lives annually. As rescue teams continue to clear the wreckage and recover remains, communities along the Kampala-Gulu corridor are left grieving — their hearts heavy with the loss of dozens of innocent lives that perished in an instant on a road meant to connect, not destroy.
