By Our Reporter
An Isuzu bus, registration number UAU 079Q, belonging to HMK Company, has overturned on its route from Kalongo Town Council to Patongo Town Council, Agago district leaving three people seriously injured.
The incident occurred after the bus reportedly suffered a sudden failure of its lighting system, leaving the driver, identified only as Kizza, struggling to control the vehicle in near-total darkness. According to eyewitness accounts, the lack of visibility caused the bus to veer off the road before overturning, throwing passengers into chaos.
Although no fatalities were recorded, the incident has highlighted what many view as a persistent problem—poor vehicle maintenance and lax enforcement of transport regulations.
Preliminary investigations by the Agago District Police suggest the crash may have been a direct result of inadequate vehicle maintenance. The sudden malfunction of the headlights points to mechanical neglect, an issue that has plagued the public transport sector for years.
“This should be a wake-up call,” said a police officer at the scene. “Public transport operators need to take vehicle safety seriously. Incidents like this put dozens of lives at risk.”
Local residents who rushed to assist the victims echoed similar concerns. “We see these buses on the road every day, but you never know which one is properly maintained,” said Ocen Patrick, a resident of Patongo. “There needs to be stricter checks to prevent these kinds of accidents.”
When the accident occurred, it was members of the local community who were first to respond. Using their mobile phones as flashlights, they searched for survivors inside the overturned bus and offered immediate aid before emergency services arrived.
“It was dark, and many people were trapped and crying out for help,” recalled another eyewitness. “We did what we could until the police and ambulances came.”
The three injured passengers were later evacuated to a nearby hospital, where medical staff reported that their conditions, though serious, were stable. The hospital has assured families that the patients are responding well to treatment.
In the wake of the accident, authorities are urging transport companies to prioritize regular vehicle inspections and maintenance. The police have called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent similar occurrences.
“This accident could have ended much worse,” an officer warned. “We are fortunate there were no deaths, but we cannot leave passenger safety to chance.”
Passengers and road users are demanding that both operators and regulatory bodies take more proactive steps to ensure roadworthy vehicles are on the road, particularly those carrying large numbers of people.
This incident adds to a growing list of road accidents across Uganda where mechanical failure is cited as a contributing factor. With an increasing number of buses plying rural and urban routes, road safety advocates argue that ensuring vehicles meet proper standards should be a national priority.
As investigations continue, residents of Agago and passengers across the country are calling for action—not just explanations—to prevent future tragedies.
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