IGANGA, UGANDA: At least one person died on the spot, and three others injured in a road crash along the Iganga-Mayuge highway. The fatal accident that happened on Wednesday at Buluza village, Nakigo sub-county in Iganga district involved an Isuzu Elfu registration number UAQ 027C.
The deceased was identified as Namuyomba Sophia, 17, who was a senior five student at Mount Zion secondary school in Nakigo sub-county, Iganga. Others who included Kigundu Ashiraf, 15, Nakagolo Jowelia, 18, and Seguku Stephen, 55, were injured.
Eyewitnesses allege that the fatal road crash was caused when the steering wheel developed a sudden mechanical issue and the driver couldn’t make any control over the drive.
Musa Wakuluba one of the residents in the area says that the vehicle was carrying sweet bananas and other foodstuffs from Mayuge to Iganga, adding that they suspect the accident to have been caused by a mechanical fault on the steering wheel.
“The vehicle UAQ 027G was from Bunya Mayuge and overturned after allegedly developing a sudden steering problem. The two were feared dead, therefore I call upon all people to always service your vehicles to avoid these kinds of crashes,” Wakuluba said before adding that the drivers should always check the mechanical condition of their vehicles.
Namukose Lydia, another eyewitness, said that the children were trying to save their lives after the car veered off the road. “The vehicle was speeding and it veered off the road knocking a roadside hump and these children were trying to save their lives and unfortunately were knocked dead by the car,” Namukose said.
However, the chairperson of the village Mwanja Banuli said the vehicle after developing the mechanical fault veered off the road killing a schoolgirl and injuring others.
“We have got a shock at my village when a vehicle carrying sweet banana and other stuffs killed Namuyomba Sophia, 17, a daughter to my brother Siraji,” Mwanja said.
Meanwhile, Busoga East Police Spokesperson, SP Diana Nandawula has confirmed the accident where a life was lost.
“One person has died and three others injured in an accident which was at Buluza village Nakigo sub-county along Iganga- Mayuge road when a vehicle Isuzu Elfu registration number UAQ 027G got a sudden mechanical problem with the steering wheel and crashed dead a school girl and injuring others,” SP Nandawula said before adding that others like Kigundu Ashiraf, 15, Nakagolo Jowelia, 18, and Seguku Stephen, 55, were injured and rushed to Iganga general hospital at Nakavule for treatment.
SP Nandawula said that preliminary findings indicate a mechanical issue with the car steering wheel and the driver couldn’t save the situation. “The cause of the accident is reported that the car had a mechanical issue with the steering wheel,” Nandawula said.
Police has confirmed towing the said vehicle to Iganga central police station as investigation into the accident continues.
By press time, the body was taken to Iganga general hospital mortuary at Nakavule for autopsy.
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