The Scania bus, en route from Katosi to Jinja, overturned and burst into flames in Makindu Village, with victims rushed to Kawolo and St. Francis Lwanga hospitals as emergency crews battled the blaze.
Buikwe, Uganda: Dozens of people have been confirmed dead and several others injured after a passenger bus belonging to YY Coaches overturned and caught fire on Monday evening at Makindu Village along the Kisoga–Nyenga Road in Buikwe District.
Traffic Police Directorate Spokesperson, SP Michael Kananura, said in a statement that the fatal crash occurred at around 5:00 PM on May 5, 2025, involving a passenger vehicle, a Scania bus with registration number UAV 701C, was en route from Katosi to Jinja when the driver reportedly lost control at a sharp section in Makindu.
“The vehicle was traveling from Katosi to Jinja when the driver lost control at Makindu Village. It overturned and caught fire, resulting in the loss of lives, who are yet to be identified, and injuries to multiple passengers who have been rushed to Kawolo Hospital, St. Francis Lwanga Hospital in Buikwe, and other nearby health facilities, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
The bus, according to SP Kanannura, overturned and immediately burst into flames, killing several passengers on the spot. Rescue efforts by police and emergency response teams were ongoing into the night as they battled to extinguish the fire and recover bodies from the wreckage.
Authorities said the exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed as identification and treatment of victims continue. “Police and emergency services are on the scene, working to extinguish the fire and retrieve the bodies of those who perished in the crash.”
Meanwhile, YY coaches and Courier services issued a statement in which they said they were working closely with the relevant authorities and will continue to offer support to the victims and their families.
The Monday evening tragedy adds to a growing list of road crashes across Uganda in recent months. In the past 30 days alone, traffic police have recorded over 420 road crashes, a significant number of which resulted in fatalities.
Over the last three months, more than 1,180 road accidents have been documented, with at least 400 lives lost and thousands left injured.
Since the beginning of 2025, Uganda has registered over 1,700 serious road crashes, raising concerns about the persistent road safety crisis.
According to the 2024 Annual Police Crime Report, road traffic crashes claimed 4,806 lives last year, with 1,422 being motorcyclists and 1,163 pedestrians. The report further revealed that an average of 13 people die on Ugandan roads daily, with speeding, reckless driving, and vehicle mechanical failure cited as leading causes.
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