Bugweri, Uganda: Police in Bugweri District are investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a seven-year-old boy identified as Okiror Elvis in Busesa Town Council on Tuesday.
According to preliminary police findings, the crash involved a Tata lorry registration number UBQ 867X and an unidentified Fuso truck.
Police said the Tata lorry had been parked by the roadside facing Bugiri while loading sugarcane when the child reportedly crossed the road to pick sugarcane from the vehicle.
As he attempted to cross, the unidentified Fuso truck allegedly overtook the stationary lorry and knocked the child dead before speeding away from the scene without stopping.
Michael Kasadha Lubega, the Busoga East Regional Police spokesperson, condemned the incident and warned drivers against fleeing accident scenes.
“In this case, a child lost his life because a driver chose to run instead of stop,” Kasadha said. “Leaving an accident scene makes a bad situation worse and carries criminal consequences,” he added.
Police further revealed that the driver of the Tata lorry, identified as Aliru Yasin, also allegedly attempted to flee after the accident, reportedly fearing implication in the crash.
However, his actions attracted the attention of a police patrol team operating in the area. “Officers immediately pursued the lorry and intercepted it along the Butaba–Bugiri route. The vehicle was taken to Busesa Police parking yard as investigations continue,” Kasadha said.
Traffic police officers later visited the scene and transported the child’s body to Iganga General Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.
Police have since launched investigations and are pursuing leads to identify and arrest the driver of the unidentified Fuso truck.
Kasadha also urged motorists to exercise extra caution around children and roadside activities. “Children are unpredictable around busy roads. Drivers must slow down, watch for movement and be ready to stop. One second of carelessness can end a life,” he warned.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025, hit-and-run accidents remain among the major contributors to fatal road crashes in Uganda, with speeding, reckless overtaking and failure to stop after accidents cited among the leading causes.
Police appealed to members of the public with information regarding the fleeing Fuso truck driver to report to Busesa Police Station to assist investigations.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
