Bus crash on Masaka-Mbarara highway claims two lives, injures 13

Tragedy struck along the Masaka-Mbarara Highway early Thursday morning when a speeding bus collided with a trailer, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured. The devastating accident happened around 3:45 am in Katuba Village, Lwengo District.

The bus, belonging to Jaguar Bus Company, was en route from Kampala to Western Uganda, while the trailer was traveling from Mbarara to Kampala. Some passengers on the bus were reportedly heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

Eyewitnesses reported that the crash occurred in the dark, and tragically, some local residents allegedly resorted to looting from the wreckage instead of assisting the survivors. Police arrived at the scene later.

According to Mr. Twaha Kasirye, the Southern Regional Police Spokesperson, both deceased victims were female passengers on the bus. The injured, comprising nine males and four females, have been transported to nearby health facilities for medical attention.

Mr. Kasirye issued a stern warning to motorists about the dangers of speeding, particularly during nighttime and in rainy conditions, emphasizing the increased risk of fatal accidents. He noted that the wreckage of both vehicles has been moved to Mbirizi Police Station as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.

This incident underscores a concerning trend, as police reports indicate a surge in road crashes across Uganda, with traffic deaths rising significantly in recent years, averaging around 15 fatalities per day.

Read more about the incident on the Daily Monitor.