14 Dead in Horrific Head-On Collision on Masaka Highway

Tragedy struck the Masaka-Kampala Highway late Monday night when a commuter taxi and a sand-laden truck collided head-on, claiming the lives of fourteen individuals. The fatal crash took place at Kamuwunga trading centre, within the Lwera swamp area in Kalungu district, around 11:40 pm.

The taxi, identified as a white Toyota Hiace (UA 662AQ), was en route from Kampala to Masaka. Its driver, Abdul Karim Ssembatya of Masaka City, was among those who perished at the scene. The truck, a red Sino (UBS 040F), was carrying sand and its driver is currently at large, having fled the scene.

Preliminary investigations by the police suggest the truck driver may have swerved into the oncoming lane to avoid road humps, a result of ongoing construction. This maneuver allegedly led to the collision with the taxi, which was reportedly in its correct lane.

The impact was severe, causing the two vehicles to become entangled. The heavy sand truck reportedly pushed the taxi approximately 30 meters from the initial point of impact, underscoring the force of the collision.

Victims were identified by name and residence, with ages ranging from juveniles to adults. Among the deceased were Alice Gracious Alobo, Moses Kizza, Joanita Natondwa, Aidah Namajja, Lawrence Ssebuuma, and Margaret Nabbosa, among others, including a police sergeant. Two unidentified adult males also died in the crash.

Four individuals survived the ordeal. Two were occupants of the truck, while the other two were in the taxi. The injured were transported to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, and the deceased were taken to the hospital mortuary for postmortem examinations. Police have initiated an investigation and are actively searching for the truck driver, citing reckless driving as the suspected cause.

This information is based on a report by The Observer (Uganda).