Kalungu-Atleast Fourteen people have been confirmed dead following a devastating road crash in Lwera swamp in Kalungu district along the Kampala–Masaka Highway.
The fatal accident involved a Toyota Hiace taxi, registration number UA 662AQ, which was travelling from Kampala to Masaka, and a sand-laden Sinotruck, registration number UBS 040F, that was heading in the opposite direction.
The two vehicles collided head-on in the early hours of Tuesday morning at a junction near Kamuwunga Trading Centre in Lwera Swamp.
Greater Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed the incident, describing it as one of the deadliest crashes recorded on the highway in recent months.
According to Kasirye, only two occupants of the Toyota Hiace survived the collision, although they sustained critical injuries.
Police have so far identified the deceased as taxi driver Abdu Kareem Ssembatya; Alice Alobo Alice Gracious, 30, a resident of Opit Town Council in Omoro District and Moses Kizza of Kyetume in Kyotera District.
Others are Joanita Natondwa and Aidah Namajja, both residents of Masaka City; Lawrence Ssebuuma of Kifuuta in Kyotera District; Margret Nabbosa of Ziroobwe in Luwero District; Veronica Nabulime, a one-year-old child; Innocent Irora of Kyegegwa District; and Police Sergeant Alice Nabukenya. Two other male adults remain unidentified.
The injured have been identified as Edward Kaiga and Moses Mugerwa, both passengers in the taxi, as well as an unidentified male adult who was travelling in the Sinotruck. They were rushed to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for critical injuries.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the Sinotruck, which was heavily loaded with sand, was reportedly attempting to avoid road humps installed due to ongoing road construction works. In the process, it allegedly veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the oncoming taxi.
Kasirye said police have launched a manhunt for the driver of the Sinotruck, who fled the scene immediately after the crash. Investigations into the exact circumstances surrounding the accident are ongoing.
