Kiruhura, Uganda: At least eight people died on the spot, and one other was left critically injured following a horrific road crash along the Mbarara–Lyantonde highway in Kiruhura District on Friday evening.
The fatal accident occurred at around 6:30 pm at Kibega I Village and involved a white Toyota Hiace registration number UBQ 016U and a Mercedes Benz Actros trailer registration number KDQ 668L/ZH 5133.
According to Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson SP Samson Kasasira, all the deceased and the injured victim were occupants of the Toyota Hiace, which was reportedly travelling from Mbarara towards Lyantonde.
“It’s alleged that the Toyota Hiace was coming from Mbarara heading to Lyantonde, while the trailer was from Lyantonde heading to Mbarara,” SP Kasasira said.
He explained that the driver of the Toyota Hiace attempted to overtake at a corner, resulting in a head-on collision with the oncoming trailer, which was moving in its rightful lane.
“The driver of the Toyota Hiace attempted to overtake at a corner and ended up colliding head-on with the trailer at Kibega I Village,” he stated.
The impact killed eight occupants on the spot, while one passenger sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for emergency medical treatment.
“The cause of the accident was reckless driving,” SP Kasasira said, urging motorists to strictly observe traffic regulations, particularly when overtaking. “Drivers are advised to avoid overtaking at blind spots and corners, as this puts lives at great risk.”
SP Kasasira added that traffic officers responded to the scene to manage the situation, clear the wreckage and begin formal investigations into the crash.
The tragedy adds to growing road safety concerns along the busy Mbarara–Lyantonde highway, a key transport corridor in western Uganda that has, in recent months, recorded a series of fatal accidents linked largely to speeding and dangerous overtaking.
Authorities have renewed calls for caution, warning that failure to respect traffic rules continues to cost innocent lives.
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