Three people have died and 19 others were injured in a road accident involving a bus and a taxi along the Rukungiri–Ntungamo road on Saturday night.
The accident occurred at around 10:20 pm at Mukabingo village near Mukiragyiro trading centre in Buyanja sub-county, Rukungiri district. It involved a Perfect Coach bus, registration number UBN 331G, traveling from Kihihi town in Kanungu district to Kampala, and a Toyota Hiace taxi, registration number UBA 341G, heading to Rukungiri town from Ntungamo district.
According to an eyewitness, the bus swerved from its lane while trying to dodge a pothole and ended up colliding head-on with the oncoming taxi. Elly Maate, the Kigezi Region police spokesperson, confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Ronald Akakimpa, 35, conductor of the taxi; Liberty Bonance, 3, a Congolese national; and an unidentified adult female passenger.
Maate added that 19 other passengers sustained injuries. Among the injured are: Captain Bright Musinguzi, Sergeant Edgar Kwesigwa, Corporal Alex Tukwasibwe, and Private Francis Okello (all members of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces – UPDF).
Other injured victims include: Godfrey Tukahirwa (bus conductor), Andrew Mwesigwa (taxi driver), Pacific Claude (Congolese national), Blair Abenomugisha, Bernard Nyabanawe, 62, Annah Tumwebaze, James Barisimwaki, 44, Jackline Amumpire, Florence Kiconco, Oliver Komushana, Oscar Tayebwa, Hassan Kakuru, Frank Baryakira, 63 and Johnbosco Atwongirwe.
Charles Muzenero said police investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing. The injured were rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment.