Masaka, (UG):- The Police in Katonga Region are seriously investigating the cause of a fatal accident in which two senior officers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) lost their lives on the spot in a and other occupants of the vehicle escape with critical injuries on Friday.
The victims who died on the spot were identified as Brig Gen (Retired) Kyambadde and Brig Gen Fred Twinamasiko, who served as the Director of Training and Doctrine for Land Forces.
The 8:00 am accident according to Buwama Police Station happened at Mbizinya village in Buwama sub-county, Mpigi district along the Kampala-Masaka highway. The crash involved three vehicles identified as UAK 805D TX Prado green in colour being driven by Brig Kyambadde Frank, UBQ 246F Toyota hiace white in colour being driven by Kigozi Mansur and UBG 385B M/fuso white in colour being driven by Ssenfuka Robert.
According to preliminary police findings, “It is alleged that the driver of m/vehicle reg no UAK 805D TX prado was moving in the direction of Masaka to Kampala, on the other hand, there was oncoming Toyota hiace reg no UBQ 246F in the climbing lane and M/vehicle reg no UBG 385F M/fuso in the first lane moving in the direction of Kampala to Masaka, at this point, the driver of TX Prado decided to overtake the m/vehicle that was in front of him and failed due to the on coming T/Hiace and suddenly braked instantly he lost control and the m/vehicle pulled him to his right-hand side where he ended up knocking with the Toyota Hiace and m/fuso.”
Police attributed the cause of the accident to careless overtaking by the driver of m/vehicle reg no UAK 805D TX Prado. The two UPDF Generals Kyambadde and Twinamatsiko died on the spot while the victims were rushed to Nkozi Hospital and Rubaga Hospital by police Ambulance for treatment.
Meanwhile, the motor vehicles involved in the crash were towed up to Buwama Police Station for safe custody pending IOV inspection as investigations take centre stage in the crash.
UPDF Mourns Fallen Generals
The UPDF in a Saturday statement mourned the demise of its fallen Brigadier General and said that an investigation into the accident is underway, and more details will be released in due course.
“The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) fraternity regret to announce with deep sorrow the untimely deaths of UPDF Generals; Brig Gen Fred Katuita Twinamatsiko, Director Training and Doctrine for the Land Forces and Brig Gen (Rtd) Frank Katende Kyambadde, which both occurred yesterday Friday 13 September 2024, in road traffic accidents,” a statement released by UPDF Spokesperson Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye read on Saturday afternoon.
The army has also extended its condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased generals, promising to support them during this difficult time.
Brig Gen Kyambadde (RO/02855) served as the contingent commander of Battle Group 14 under Amisom before his retirement.
He was among the 11 Senior UPDF officers who retired from active service on August 31, 2023 alongside former IGP Gen Kale Kayihura, Lt Gen James Nakibus Lakara, Maj Gen Samuel Wasswa Mutesasira, Maj Gen Joseph Arocha, Maj Gen David Wakaalo Brig Gen Emmanuel Kwihangana, Brig Austine Kasatwooki Kamanyire, Brig Gen Stephen Oluka, Brig Gen Wilson Muhabuzi and Brig Gen Ham Atwoki Kaija.
According to the UPDF statement, arrangements for burial are underway and will be communicated in due course. “The MODVA and the entire UPDF family extend our condolences to the families and friends of the fallen Generals. May their souls rest in eternal peace,” the army said.
The Police annual crime report 2023 indicates that road crashes increased by 30% from the 2022 statistics from 3,210 in 2022 to 4,179 in 2023.
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