Tragic Accident Claims Three URA Officials Near Karuma After Elephant Collision

Tragedy struck late Sunday night when a van carrying seven Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials collided with an elephant on the road near Karuma Checkpoint, within the vicinity of Murchison Falls National Park.

The incident occurred around 8:00 PM as the officials were returning to Kampala from Arua after concluding official duties. According to preliminary reports from the police, the driver of the Toyota Hiace van struck a crossing elephant, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Three occupants of the van, identified as URA tax educator Robert Wamala Rumanyika among them, tragically died at the scene. Four other individuals, including the driver, sustained critical injuries.

Police spokesperson Michael Kananura confirmed that law enforcement responded swiftly, transporting the injured to Kiryandongo Hospital. The critically injured were subsequently transferred to Kampala for advanced medical care. The remains of the deceased were conveyed to Anaka Hospital Mortuary for postmortem examinations.

Mr. Kananura took the opportunity to issue a stern warning to motorists, emphasizing the need for extreme caution when traversing national parks and wildlife-protected zones, particularly during nighttime hours. Adherence to speed limits, he stressed, is crucial to prevent such devastating accidents.

This incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks associated with wildlife crossings in these areas.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)