The Uganda Professional Drivers Network has called for stricter discipline among drivers and urged transport operators to strengthen supervision of their crews, warning that ignoring passenger safety concerns often leads to avoidable loss of life.
The appeal follows a fatal road crash in Nwoya District that claimed seven lives and left several passengers injured, which the group described as a stark reminder of persistent reckless driving on Ugandan roads.
The crash occurred on May 4, 2026, at about 1:15 a.m. in Lapok Mor Village, according to police.
In a statement issued on Monday, the drivers’ advocacy group attributed the tragedy to dangerous overtaking and disregard of passenger warnings, practices it says continue to fuel preventable road deaths.
“This tragic incident is yet another reminder that reckless driving, especially dangerous overtaking and ignoring passenger warnings, continues to cost lives on our roads,” the group said.
Police spokesperson Michael Kananura confirmed that the crash involved motor vehicle registration number UBP 736U, an Isuzu bus belonging to Nile Star Coaches, driven by Abugo Mandella Kadin, who is currently in police custody. The second vehicle was a Benz Actros trailer, registration numbers SSD 040A/SSD 498C.
Preliminary findings indicate that the bus, which was travelling from Arua, attempted to overtake two vehicles before colliding head-on with the oncoming trailer.
Police said four passengers died instantly at the scene, while 16 others were injured and rushed to Anak Hospital. Three additional victims later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the death toll to seven.
Eyewitnesses told police that the bus had been driven recklessly throughout the journey and that passengers had raised concerns, which were allegedly dismissed by the conductor.
The Uganda Professional Drivers Network reiterated that transport operators must take greater responsibility in monitoring drivers and enforcing safety standards, stressing that failure to act on passenger warnings often results in preventable tragedies.
Police said investigations into the exact circumstances of the crash are ongoing amid growing concern over rising road fatalities.
