What was meant to be a festive journey ended in heartbreak after seven members of the same family lost their lives in a deadly road accident in the early hours of the morning in Greater Masaka.
The victims were traveling from Masaka to Mbarara when their vehicle was involved in a fatal collision at Njagalakasaayi in Kinoni Town Council, Lwengo District. The accident occurred at around 3:30 a.m., plunging the family and the community into mourning during a period usually marked by joy and celebration.
According to Greater Masaka Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye, the family was traveling in a fielder vehicle when it collided with an oncoming fuso truck. The fielder, registration number UBH 476W, reportedly crossed into the opposite lane while attempting to overtake, crashing head-on with the fuso, registration number UBP 510V.
Police identified the deceased as Ivan Niwagaba and his wife Brenda Ainembabazi, their children Kellen Agaba (2 years), Keith Agaba (10), Keitha Atuhire, Kenneth Masiko (5), and their uncle, Sayuni Turihohabwe.
All the bodies were transferred to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examination, as relatives and friends struggled to come to terms with the sudden loss.
Kasirye said the occupants of the fuso sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the same hospital, although their identities had not yet been established by press time.
As families across the region prepared to celebrate the festive season, the tragedy served as a painful reminder of how quickly joy can turn into sorrow. For one family, the holidays were marked by grief, silence, and unanswered questions.
