6 perish, 8 injured in Kampala- Gulu Highway accident

At least 6 people have been confirmed dead and 8 others injured in a nasty accident along the Kampala- Gulu Highway on Friday night.

According to the Savannah region police spokesperson, Paul Kangave, the accident involving a taxi registration number UAU 526A, from Luweero headed to Kampala and a lorry registration number UBB 030D happened at Lukomera trading centre.

“The taxi driver tried to overtake in a corner which is a dangerous spot and ended up colliding with the truck. Six people died on spot,”Kangave said.

The police mouthpiece however didn’t identify the deceased but noted one of them was female.

The injured have been identified as Sharon Nanyonjo,Tonny Kalyango, Eric Ssempijja, Akram Bulega, Brian Heresa and  Judith Akello.

“Preliminary investigations attribute the accident to reckless driving but we warn drivers to always be careful while driving. They should observe traffic guidelines,”Kangave said.

A number of accidents have in the past few years occurred along the Kampala- Gulu highway, killing a number of people.

Last month, four people died and 48 others sustained injuries  when  a Link bus registration number UBA 332B swerved off the road after a tyre puncture, losing control , overturning at slipped into a trench.

The accident on February 3 happened at Namayonjo village , Wabinyonyi sub-county in Nakasongola district.

The deadliest accident happened in May last year at Nanda village, 12 kilometres from Karuma town in Kiryandongo district when a Gaaga bus traveling from Lira to Kampala hit a tractor from its rear before it rolled and collided with an oncoming cargo lorry transporting crates of beer.

At least 22 people died in the accident whereas many others sustained serious injuries.

Another accident involved a Toyota hiace registration number UBD 061D belonging to Pepsi ‘Twangula’ promotion and a pick up loaded with chicken and a motorcycle.