Kassanda, (UG):- Police have identified the 15 people who perished in a nasty road crash after the driver of the Isuzu Lorry lost control, making it overturn several times at Namayingo village, Bukuya Subcounty in Kassanda District.
The accident, registered on Wednesday, June 19, involved over 60 traders who were being transported from Mityana Town in Mityana District to Bulaadi market in Bukuya Subcounty, Kassanda District.
The Isuzu truck Reg. No.UBA 605A reportedly lost control after the driver failed to negotiate a sharp corner at Namayingo village.
11 traders were killed on the spot while 4 other traders died at Bukuya Health Centre IV in Kassanda District shortly after their evacuation from the accident scene.
According to Wamala Region Spokesperson, Ms Racheal, at least 20 more passengers were also evacuated and are currently nursing injuries at Bukuya Health Centre IV and some at Mityana General Hospital.
While releasing the details of some of the accident victims on Thursday, June 20, Ms Kawala said the fatalities included eight male and seven female adults.
She identified the deceased as Faith Muliisa, Huzaith Yiga, Berrick Baluku, Justine Nakamya, Stephen Mukasa, Sarah Kalonga Nakiyingi, Jackson Kiyingi, Suzan Faisi, Ronald Kabanda, William Kabyeseza and Olivia Namawejje.
Five other victims, whom Ms Kawala only identified by single names include; Aisha (f), Ssejansi (m), Fred (m), Nakayi (f) and a male adult identified as Abdullah.
The Regional police spokesperson said a hunt for the runaway truck driver and investigations into the accident is ongoing and advised drivers to desist from overloading and transportation of passengers in vehicles used for goods.
“Drivers should avoid overloading and using vehicles meant for goods to transport passengers. This is illegal,” Ms Kawala said in her statement.
Survivors narrate ordeal
Ms Hope Nanyunja, a survivor of the accident currently nursing wounds at Mityana General Hospital was seated next to the driver only identified as Sseruga when the truck lost control before overturning as it descended the slope on Bukuya-Mityana road.
“I say the driver (Sseruga) struggled to regain control of the steering wheel but the truck failed and eventually overturned. I called one of my friends (Namawejje) but she was trapped inside the wreckage. The rescuers pulled out her lifeless body from the wreckage,” she told local newspaper Monitor on Thursday.
Mr Obed Ssebulime, another survivor of the crash and resident of Mityana Town said that the truck was at high speed and descending the Namayingo hilly section of the Bukuya-Mityana road.
“The driver failed to negotiate the sharp corner before he lost control of the truck. He failed to brake as the truck swerved off the road before overturning. I was trapped inside the luggage but survived by God’s mercy,” he said.
About 8 survivors are admitted at Mityana General Hospital for nursing injuries while several that have recovered have been discharged, the police said on Thursday.
Ssebulime sustained minor bruises while several of the survivors sustained serious injuries. He was among the more than 10 survivors who were rushed to Bukuya Health Centre IV.
Other survivors admitted at Mityana Hospital include Esther Nakiwala, and Diana Nakasi among other survivors.
Some of the victims laid to rest
Among the victims buried on Thursday afternoon is a 19-year-old identified as Huzaith Yiga buried at Busizigo village in Busimbi Division in Mityana Municipality.
Sarah Nakiyingi, another victim was laid to rest at Mitenda village in Kalonga Subcounty, Mubende District on Thursday, June 20 while Olivia Namawejje was buried at Kabulubutu village in Kassanda Subcounty, Kassanda District.
Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake Butebi while attending the last send-off of Huzaith Yiga urged the road contractors and government to ensure that the road works are complete and in good shape.
“Our roads are not good. It is unfortunate that we lost our dear traders in a tragic accident. Our Engineers should find ways of expanding and fixing the roads,” he said.
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