Two pupils die in Budaka hit-and-run accident

Budaka, (UG):- Two pupils in Budaka District’s Nyanza Village are confirmed to have perished in a hit-and-run accident that occurred on Wednesday along the Mbale-Tirinyi Highway.

The deceased have been identified as Jobi Stephen, 15, a pupil at Kamonkoli Mixed Primary School, and Mweru Kasim, 11, a pupil at Nyanza II Primary School. Both victims were residents of Nyanza Village in Kamonkoli Town Council.

According to eyewitness accounts, the two juveniles were riding a bicycle together around 7:30 pm when they were struck by a speeding, unidentified vehicle near Kamonkoli Town, opposite Mapple Cottages.

The vehicle, travelling from the Tirinyi direction towards Mbale, hit the bicycle with tremendous force, killing Jobi and Kasim instantly.

“The vehicle was going at a terrible speed,” said one eyewitness, adding; “It just came out of nowhere and slammed into the boys before speeding away.”

Budaka Police were quickly on the scene and transported the bodies of the two victims to Budaka Health Centre IV for post-mortem examination.

The incident was registered under traffic accident report number TAR 062/2024, as authorities work to trace the hit-and-run vehicle.

“We are conducting a full investigation and urge anyone with information about this tragedy to come forward,” said Acting Bukedi North Regional Police Spokesperson SP Semewo Samuel.

The untimely deaths of Jobi and Kasim have left their families and communities in Budaka District devastated.

Meanwhile, local leaders have called for increased road safety measures and greater accountability for reckless driving to prevent such senseless losses of young lives.