Five Dead, 21 injured in Kampala-Bombo road crash
Preliminary findings indicate that the driver of a Fuso Super Grande truck (UBK 769A), traveling from Kampala to Bombo, lost control while descending Mayanja Valley. This led to a chain reaction, crashing into nine vehicles and a motorcycle moving in the same direction.
At least five people lost their lives, and 21 others were critically injured in a devastating road crash that occurred on the evening of Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Mayanja Valley along the Kampala-Bombo Road.
The collision involved nine motor vehicles and a motorcycle, according to a statement from Traffic Police and Road Safety Directorate Spokesperson, SP Michael Kananura.
Preliminary findings indicate that the driver of a Fuso Super Grande truck (UBK 769A), traveling from Kampala to Bombo, lost control while descending Mayanja Valley. This led to a chain reaction, crashing into nine vehicles and a motorcycle moving in the same direction.
The impact was fatal, instantly claiming the lives of five occupants from the affected vehicles, including the motorcycle rider. The 21 injured passengers, mostly from the commuter taxis, were rushed to Mulago Hospital for emergency medical attention, while the deceased were taken to Mulago City Mortuary. The wreckage has been towed to Kawempe Police Station for further inspection as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.
The tragic accident adds to the growing concern over road safety in Uganda. The Uganda Police Force’s Annual Crime Report 2024, released last month, revealed a sharp increase in road crashes, with 25,107 incidents recorded nationwide—marking a 6.4% rise from the previous year. These crashes claimed 5,144 lives, averaging 14 deaths daily, with motorcyclists being the most vulnerable road users.
Despite a 19.2% drop in recorded traffic offenses, road crash fatalities increased by 7%, from 4,806 in 2023 to 5,144 in 2024. The total number of casualties also rose by 4.4%, reaching 25,808 victims.
In response to the alarming statistics, the Traffic Police Directorate has urged all motorists to prioritize road safety by ensuring proper vehicle maintenance, adhering to speed limits, and practicing defensive driving.
“We urge all motorists to prioritize road safety by ensuring their vehicles are well-maintained, adhering to speed limits, and driving defensively to prevent such tragic incidents,” SP Kananura emphasized.
