Five killed in Kapchorwa road crash on Boxing Day

Kapchorwa, (UG): At least five people, including a woman and four children, died on Boxing Day following a nasty road crash at Towei village, near Sipi in Kapchorwa District, eastern Uganda.

The victims identified as Goreti Najja, 35, Isabela Isabit, 8, Mark Okay, 10, Ivan Busulwa, 10 and Solomon Kibirige, 9 were driving in a Toyota Prado Land Cruiser at around 4:30 pm when the driver lost control and the car rolled downhill turning several times.

Four other people police identified as Ivy Busulwa, 7, Ivan Busilwa, 14, Caleb Kagimu, 3 and Innocent Busuulwa, 18 survived the crash and are currently admitted to Kapchorwa Hospital.

Police retrieved the bodies of the victims to the hospital mortuary for postmortem as investigations into the possible cause of the accident get underway.

In a related development, Police in Bukedi South Region have confirmed that three children drowned in Wagagai gold mine pit at Amagoro Village, Buteba Sub County in Busia District on Christmas Day.

Timothy Oguttu,10, Amos Wandera, 8, and Shan Wandera Trevor, 11, all residents of Alupe Village, Buteba Sub-County had gone swimming when the incident happened.

“We are investigating a case of sudden death by drowning that was reported on Christmas Day at 2 pm in which three children who had gone swimming, drowned. It is alleged that on December 25, 2023, at around 12 pm the four male juveniles went swimming in the Wagagai Gold mine dumping site,” Mr Mugwe Moses, the Bukedi South Region Police Spokesperson said confirming the incident.

According to Mr Mugwe, the matter was reported to Busia Central Police Station where a team of homicide officers, Scene of Crime Officers, and fire and rescue responded to the scene.

He said the three bodies were taken to Masafu General Hospital mortuary pending a postmortem.

“We appeal to the general public to exercise parental care, monitor their children and keep them safe during this long school holiday,” Mr Mugwe urged.