Buyende, Uganda: Five people, including three children, were killed instantly on Sunday afternoon after a sugarcane truck driver lost steering control of the vehicle and rammed into a motorcycle along the Iringa–Kidera Road in Buyende District.
According to Busoga North Police Spokesperson SSP Samson, the fatal crash occurred at Kabigudo at about 3:05 PM and involved a TATA truck (UAW 966U) and a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle (UEZ 966W).
He identified the deceased as Nakissuyi Faridah, 25; Kayiriko Latifah, 1; Nanjeso Rahiya, 4; Pande Denis, 24; and Mirabu Nabayigwa, 6, all residents of Buyende and Iganga districts.
Preliminary findings indicate that the truck, which was traveling from Kidera towards Iringa, developed a mechanical fault after its steering system reportedly failed. The driver lost control, veered off course, and collided with the motorcycle carrying five people.
The tragedy comes just two days after another deadly crash along the Kamuli–Namasagali Road, where a sugarcane truck overturned and killed four people, raising fresh alarm over the safety of heavy commercial vehicles.
“This incident highlights the critical importance of regular vehicle maintenance to ensure roadworthiness, particularly for heavy commercial vehicles,” Lubega said, as police extended condolences to the bereaved families.
The crash adds to growing concern over road safety involving heavy trucks, especially those transporting sugarcane across eastern Uganda.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025, police registered a total of 322,441 cases of road accidents compared to 426,432 in 2024, marking a 24.4 per cent decrease. However, the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety recorded 26,044 crashes in 2025, including 4,602 fatal incidents, 13,563 serious crashes, and 7,879 minor ones.
The report further shows that road traffic crashes increased by 3.7 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024, with fatal crashes rising by 3.8 per cent, highlighting persistent risks on Uganda’s roads despite overall improvements in reporting.
Police have urged drivers to prioritise regular vehicle inspection and exercise caution while on the road to prevent further loss of life.
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