Four people died on the spot after a commuter taxi they were travelling in veered off the road and plunged into Nalujjo swamp in Kagulu sub-county, Buyende district, eastern Uganda.
The Toyota Hiace taxi, registration number UBD 160F, was en route from Buyende to Kaliro district when the accident occurred around midnight. According to local reports, the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to plunge into the deeper parts of the swamp, where it quickly sank.
The deceased including three men and one woman were pulled from the wreckage by local rescue teams and temporarily laid at Mulali primary school playground. Their bodies were later transported to Kidera health centre IV mortuary for postmortem examination.
Godfrey Kadogo, a resident and member of a community night patrol team, said he and others witnessed the accident while on duty. He said by the time police divers arrived, it was too late. All the victims had already died.
Moses Loota, a boda boda rider who was closely following the taxi, blamed the accident on the narrow and slippery road. He noted that the road has several dangerous sections with poor drainage and frequently sinking culverts, especially during rainy seasons.
“We have seen multiple accidents along this road, mainly involving motorcycles. The Ministry of Works has not done any substantial upgrades,” Loota said. He appealed to the ministry to construct a bridge across the swamp to prevent further tragedies caused by flooding.