news 26 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Three URA Staff Killed in Tragic Elephant Collision Near Karuma
Three Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) employees died and four others were critically injured when their vehicle collided with a rogue elephant near Karuma Checkpoint within Murchison Falls National Park. The unfortunate incident occurred on Sunday evening as the staff were returning from taxpayer education sessions in Arua City. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/how-ura-staff-perished-in-karuma-elephant-crash-5473568
A tragic accident on the Gulu-Kampala Highway has claimed the lives of three Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) staff members and left four others seriously injured. The incident took place Sunday evening when a Toyota Hiace van carrying the URA team collided with an elephant along the road, approximately 10 kilometers from the Karuma Checkpoint, within the confines of Murchison Falls National Park.
The URA employees were returning from Arua City, where they had been conducting taxpayer education sessions for women entrepreneurs under the Women Economic Empowerment for Green Transformation (WEEG) Project, a GIZ initiative. The sessions focused on vital business and tax compliance knowledge.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the driver may have been exceeding the speed limit for the park area. One witness reported that the van overtook a trailer shortly before striking the elephant. The collision reportedly angered the animal, which then began to attack the vehicle, smashing its windows and pushing it off the road.
Rescuers attempted to extricate the trapped occupants but were forced to retreat when the agitated elephant turned its attention to the vehicle, causing further damage. Two individuals died at the scene, while a third succumbed to their injuries before police arrived. The critically injured, including the driver, were initially taken to Kiryandongo Hospital and later transferred to Kampala for further medical care.
Traffic police spokesperson, Mr. Michael Kananura, confirmed the fatalities and stated that the bodies were moved to Anaka Hospital mortuary. He issued a stern warning to motorists, urging them to exercise extreme caution and adhere to speed limits when driving through national parks and wildlife areas, particularly at night, to prevent future tragedies.