By Frank Kamuntu
A Fuso truck carrying over fifty traders and farmers, primarily women, overturned in Awendukei Village, Otheko Parish, Zombo District, on Saturday, October 12. The truck, with registration number UAP 846 P, was en route to Paidha Main Market when it overturned, leaving many injured, with seven in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses attributed the accident to a combination of overloading, poor vehicle maintenance, and the deteriorating road conditions in the area. According to William Okethi, LCIII chairperson of Paidha Sub-County, “We haven’t received reports of fatalities yet, but many passengers sustained serious injuries.” Emergency services were swiftly dispatched, with injured passengers rushed to local health facilities for treatment.
Bruno Obomba, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Zombo, expressed deep concern upon receiving the news, highlighting the ongoing risk of poorly regulated transport in rural Uganda. Local police were still investigating the incident to confirm the total number of casualties and the exact cause of the crash.
A Growing Road Safety Crisis In Uganda & Africa
Uganda, like many African countries, continues to grapple with alarming road accident statistics. According to the 2023 Uganda Traffic Police report, an average of 12 to 13 people lose their lives in road accidents daily. In 2023 alone, there were 4,806 fatalities, an increase from 4,534 in 2022.
These figures reflect a wider road safety crisis across Africa. Poor infrastructure, overloading, and poorly maintained vehicles are common contributors to fatal accidents, particularly in rural areas. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa has the highest road traffic death rates globally, with 26.6 deaths per 100,000 people. The continent’s lack of strict enforcement of road safety regulations exacerbates the problem.
As Uganda and other African nations seek to address these issues, the recent accident in Zombo District underscores the urgent need for comprehensive road safety reforms and stricter regulations to protect vulnerable populations such as traders and farmers who rely on poorly maintained vehicles for their livelihoods.
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