At least 46 people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a devastating road accident that occurred shortly after midnight on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Kitaleba village, near Asili Farm along the Kampala–Gulu highway.
The fatal crash involved four vehicles: an Isuzu bus (UBF 614X) belonging to Nile Star Coaches, a Toyota Surf (CGO 5132AB 07), a Tata lorry (UBK 647C), and another Isuzu bus (UAM 045V) operated by Planet Company.
Initially, the police in a statement had put the number of fatalities at 63, but that figure has now been revised to 46, with the police saying, “at the time of the crash, several victims were found unconscious, and some may have been mistakenly included in the initial fatality count.”
According to Michael Kananura, spokesperson for the directorate of traffic and road safety, the crash occurred when the driver of the Nile Star Coaches bus (UBF 614X), travelling from Kampala towards Gulu, attempted to overtake the Tata lorry at the scene.
“Simultaneously, the Isuzu bus (UAM 045V), travelling from the opposite direction, was also attempting to overtake the Toyota Surf (CGO 5132AB 07). In the process, both buses met head-on during the overtaking manoeuvres,” Kananura said.
“One of the drivers swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision, but this resulted in a head-on and side collision, causing a chain reaction that led to other vehicles losing control and overturning several times,” he added.
The injured were rushed to Kiryandongo hospital and nearby health facilities, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the hospital mortuary for post-mortem and identification.
Kananura urged motorists to exercise maximum caution, particularly by avoiding dangerous and reckless overtaking, which he said remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes in Uganda. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a quick recovery to all those injured,” Kananura said.
The costs of night travel is becoming exorbitant on the life expectancy of the Ugandan populace. Though it is in most cases business-acumen and a few cases inevitable to travel at night time, the cost-benefit margin is steadily decreasing on an alarming scale.
Recently, two disastrous accidents involving wildlife and pupils occurred on the Gulu-Kampala Highway by conduit of night travel. Since there is no visible control measures of avoiding such calamities catapulted through night travels, it is about time, government plays the devil advocate and ban or limit night travel.
Reason being, during night time, traffic police has minimum presence on the roads except for major road blocks and checkpoints. Drivers are exhausted and just eager to reach destination and rest. Furthermore, visibility and quick judgment is impaired due to night darkness and dumbness.
Also, wildlife tends to move in cover of night when noise is at minimum and human interference is very low.
Night travel might just be the sacrificial lamb to save lives of Ugandans.
I suppose David Oyite Ojok is not back from the dead.
But, before even the Police investigation is completed and/or released, why did our 85-years-old PROBLEM OF AFRICA, Gen Tibuhaburwa jump to the conclusion to compensate the dead victims of the accident UShs.5 million each?
What a desperation for a cheap popularity/attention!
In other words, except for his current and very selfish presidential campaign expedience wherefrom does such sum of money suddenly come (Shs.230 million)? I would have no problem with it if the money from the sale of milk and cattle from his Rwakitura and Kisozi farms.
Otherwise, does money come so easily like that? I thought such compensation should come from the Compulsory Third Party Insurance, paid out by the Bus Companies involved therein such accidents. But not our sweat and blood tax money.
E.g., how much of that amount could have gone towards the School Teachers Salary enhancement?
In any case, except his hook or crooks stranglehold onto power, the guy does not give a damn about teachers salary enhancement nor the minimum wage.
No wonder he told us off on 26th Jan 2017 that he is neither our servant nor employee (a slave master)!
Or it was Gen Tibuhaburwa who caused the accident hence liable for the fatalities injuries and material damages.