At least six people have died, and five others are critically injured following a head-on collision between a commuter taxi and a Fuso truck on the Kampala-Gulu Highway. The accident occurred around 3 PM in Sinalya, near Bombo, involving a Toyota Hiace and a Fuso Fighter truck, The Telegraph has learned.

Savanah Region Police spokesperson Sam Twinnaemazima attributed the crash to reckless driving, stating that the Fuso driver, whose vehicle is registered as UBN 052L, was overtaking dangerously when he collided head-on with the Hiace, registered as UBL 502Z. The Fuso driver fled the scene, and his identity remains unknown, while the taxi driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Among the deceased were passengers identified as Rogers Mfitumukiza from Gakoro Village, Sonko Parish in Kisoro District, and Charles Opirisa, a Ministry of Works employee residing in Banda, Nakawa Division, Kampala. The other victims included Joshua Ebong, Efrayimu Mugerwa from Kawala, a man known only as Kato, and an unidentified female adult.

The injured victims were rushed to General Military Hospital (GMH) in Bombo for emergency treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to Luwero Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are appealing to the public for information on the whereabouts of the Fuso driver. Authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent further tragedies. The Kampala-Gulu Highway, one of Uganda’s busiest routes, has a history of accidents often linked to reckless driving and dangerous overtaking.

editorial@telegraph.co.ug