Bugweri night crash claims Busesa health worker
Sande Buyinza, a witness, blamed the accident on the driver of the truck who he said was speeding and overtaking on the wrong side of the road.
At least one person was killed and 25 others sustained injuries when a Fuso truck collided with a trailer at Butende village on the Iganga-Bugiri Highway.
The deceased has been identified as Jeremia Nkayimbi, a nurse at Busesa Health Centre IV in Bugweri District, who died on the spot.
Most of the injured in the accident that also involved four other vehicles - including commuters - that were following behind the Fuso truck, were taken to Busesa Health Centre IV and those with serious injuries to Iganga Hospital.
Police and witnesses said the pileup crash incident occurred at around 9.30pm when the driver of the Fuso truck registration number UAK 968L that was heading to Iganga from Bugiri lost control after one of its front tyres burst before ramming into an oncoming trailer registration number KEE 938 K –ZF 2135.
Sande Buyinza, a witness, blamed the accident on the driver of the truck who he said was speeding and overtaking on the wrong side of the road.
Fatuma Nangobi, a businesswoman and one of the survivors, told the Nile Post she was travelling back home in Iganga when she suddenly heard a loud bang from behind the commuter she was travelling in.
“I later saw people jumping out of the taxi that was in front of us and landing on the tarmac, I knew there was danger,” she said.
Nangobi came to her senses Tuesday morning from Iganga Hospital, only to realise had lost a hand in the accident.
Fauza Nakasoo, the in-charge of Busesa Health Centre IV, said the majority of the injured lost their legs, hands and had multiple deep cuts all over their bodies.
Nakasolo said most of the victims were referred to Iganga main hospital since the facility could not handle similar cases which required urgent attention.
She said besides all the victims required to be checked using an x-ray machine that is also lacking at Busesa.
Some of the injured have been identified as Jane Kagoya, Mohamed Isabirye, Nathan Kizige, and Abbas Yakuti.
The Busoga East Police spokesperson, Diana Nandaula, urged motorists to avoid reckless driving besides avoid overtaking while at blind spots avoid similar incidents.
By press time, the wreckages of the four vehicles had been towed to Bugweri Central Police Station as investigations into the cause of the accident continue.