Seven dead, one missing as vehicle plunges into River Namataala

Budaka, (UG):- Police in Budaka District confirmed a tragic loss of seven innocent lives following a tragic accident that occurred Saturday morning at the border of Budaka and Butaleja districts.

The nasty accident, based on local reports took place on 19th May 2024, at approximately 4:30 am, near the River Namatala Bridge.

“The deceased have been identified as Pastor Kaalo Kefa, 53 years old, a resident of Nahamanya B village in Butaleja district; Kisakye Grace, 22 years old, a resident of Namirembe, Iki-Iki, Budaka district; Kabingi Aron, 60 years old, a resident of Bunaminto village in Butaleja district; Kataike Florence, 50 years old, from Butaleja district; Sanyu Sarah, 29 years old; Misibuka Esther, 31 years old; and Michael, a 17-year-old resident from Butaleja, who is currently missing”. Confirmed acting Bukedi North Region Police Spokesperson SP Semewo Samuel

According to reports from the Traffic Police in Budaka, Pastor Kaalo Kefa, a 35-year-old resident of Nahamanya B village in Butaleja district, was travelling with his family in a white Toyota Ipsum with registration number UAM 969P. They had been attending his son’s wedding party in Mpigi district and were returning to Butaleja when the accident occurred.

“Tragically, as they were on their way home, the driver lost control of the vehicle at River Namatala Bridge, resulting in their vehicle plunging into the river,” one of the eyewitnesses told this website.

“The driver managed to escape through the window, but the rest of the passengers, including Pastor Kaalo Kefa and his family, were unable to get out in time. With no immediate assistance available, seven lives were lost in the waters of River Namatala.”

Authorities from Budaka Police Station and emergency services promptly arrived at the scene, where they retrieved the vehicle and the bodies of the victims. Regrettably, one juvenile passenger remains missing, and search efforts are currently underway.

The bodies have been transported to Budaka Health Center IV for postmortem examination, and investigations are ongoing to gather more information about the accident.