Gulu, Uganda: At least 14 people have been confirmed dead and 28 others injured following a devastating road crash involving an OPIT Travellers passenger bus and a trailer at Bobi Trading Centre along the Kampala–Gulu Highway on Monday night.
According to the Traffic Police Spokesperson, SP Michael Kananura,rt the crash occurred at around 9:34 p.m. on July 7, 2026, involving motor vehicle UBE 110H, an Isuzu passenger bus belonging to OPIT Travellers Company, and motor vehicle KBS 564D/ZE 7948, a Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the bus driver was allegedly speeding when he attempted to avoid hitting a pedestrian who was crossing the highway at Bobi Trading Centre.
In the process, the driver reportedly lost control of the bus before it veered into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the oncoming trailer.
The impact left 14 people dead at the scene and injured dozens of other passengers.
The injured victims were rushed to various health facilities for emergency treatment as police and other emergency responders worked through the night to recover victims and clear the wreckage.
SP Kananura confirmed the fatal crash and said investigations have commenced to establish the full circumstances surrounding the accident.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the driver of the bus, who was allegedly speeding, attempted to avoid a pedestrian crossing the road, lost control of the vehicle and collided head-on with the oncoming trailer,” Kananura said.
“We urge all motorists to strictly observe speed limits, especially during the night when visibility is reduced. Drivers are also reminded to remain vigilant, anticipate pedestrian movement in trading centres and always drive at speeds that allow them to stop safely,” he added.
The latest tragedy adds to the growing number of fatal crashes recorded on Uganda’s highways, particularly along the busy Kampala–Gulu Highway, one of the country’s busiest transport corridors.
Road safety experts have repeatedly attributed many fatal crashes to excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, driver fatigue and failure to observe traffic regulations.
Police continue to urge both motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution, particularly in busy trading centres where pedestrian movements remain high, especially during evening hours.
Authorities said the identities of the deceased would be released after their next of kin have been notified.
Uganda continues to record thousands of road crashes annually, with speeding remaining one of the leading causes of fatal accidents. The Kampala–Gulu Highway is among the country’s busiest highways, carrying passenger buses, cargo trucks and private vehicles connecting Kampala to Northern Uganda and neighbouring South Sudan.
Traffic Police have repeatedly appealed to commercial drivers to observe speed limits and exercise extra caution when driving through trading centres and densely populated areas.
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