Three people died on the spot and seven others sustained serious injuries in an accident along the Jinja-Kampala Highway near Bavima Steel Factory in Njeru village, Buikwe District.
According to SP Hellen Butoto, the spokesperson for Ssezibwa Region Police, the fatal collision that occurred at approximately 10:30 PM and involved three motor vehicles; a Toyota Hiace, registration number UBR 565W, Toyota Hiace, registration number UBA 061K and Mitsubishi Fuso truck, registration number UAX 241S.
Initial investigations reveal that both Toyota Hiace vans were traveling from Jinja towards Kampala when the UBR 565W vehicle reportedly swerved out of its lane in an attempt to dodge a pothole.
It subsequently struck the rear of UBA 061K, before veering further into oncoming traffic and colliding head-on with the Mitsubishi Fuso truck.
The UBR 565W vehicle overturned following the impact.
"Emergency responders, including the Uganda Police Force and the Red Cross, quickly arrived at the scene. Seven victims with serious injuries were rushed to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for medical attention" Butoto said
"Three people—two males and one female—all yet to be identified, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies were transported to the Jinja City Mortuary pending identification and postmortem examinations," she said.
The drivers of all three vehicles involved are yet to be identified, and investigations into the precise cause of the crash are currently ongoing.
The police have urged all road users to exercise maximum caution, especially when navigating highways at night, and to report any missing persons who may have been traveling on that route during the time of the accident.