By Kato Jamil
A tragic accident late on Friday night resulted in the loss of ten lives, including five children, in Kamuserwa cell, Nyakibaale ward, Rubanda district. The incident, which occurred around 11:30 pm, also left 31 individuals injured, many of whom were critically hurt.
The victims were aboard an overcrowded Hiace van, with registration number UBK 037G, which was traveling from Kisoro District to the Rwamwanja refugee camp in Kamwenge District. The vehicle, carrying over 40 passengers, veered off the road and flipped over, causing the fatalities.
According to Elly Maate, the Kigezi Police spokesperson, the accident was caused by the driver’s failure to navigate a sharp bend, resulting in the vehicle overturning. “The accident has claimed the lives of ten people. We are currently investigating the cause,” Maate confirmed.
At Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, where many of the injured were rushed for treatment, hospital director Philbert John Nyeko shared updates. “We currently have 34 victims receiving care. One person is in surgery, and a two-month-old baby, whose mother is feared to have died, is in critical condition,” Nyeko explained.
The hospital reported ten fatalities, with eight individuals dying on impact and two others passing away shortly after. Nyeko noted the overwhelming number of casualties that had stretched the hospital’s emergency services.
“Our hospital typically sees around 50 patients a day, but this incident has tested our capacity. We are reaching out to nearby facilities for assistance and gathering resources to support the victims, many of whom are without family members to care for them,” he said.
As authorities continue their investigation into the crash, the bodies of the deceased remain at the Kabale Regional Referral Hospital mortuary. This incident underscores the ongoing risks posed by overcrowded and unsafe vehicles on Uganda’s roads.
