President Museveni has directed financial support to the families of victims who died in a tragic road accident along the Kampala–Gulu highway.
According to police, the accident which occurred on October 22, at 12:15 am in Kitaleba Village near Asili Farm in Kiryandongo District, has so far claimed 46 lives.
The accident involved two Isuzu buses—registration numbers UBF 614X (Nile Star Coaches) and UAM 045V (Planet Company)—a Toyota Surf (CGO 5132AB 07), and a Tata lorry (UBK 647C).
SP Michael Kananura, spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, said preliminary investigations indicate that the Nile Star bus, which was travelling from Kampala to Gulu, attempted to overtake the Tata lorry at the time of the crash.
In a message shared on his official X account, the President said he had learnt “with sadness about the tragic accident.
Following the accident, President Museveni has directed Shs5M financial support to each bereaved family and Shs1M to the injured.
“I have directed the State House Comptroller to give Shs 5m to each bereaved family and Shs 1m to the injured," Museveni stated.
He also urged motorists and other road users to exercise greater care on the roads.
“I urge all road users to exercise utmost caution to prevent such tragedies. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace,” he said.
According to the police statement released later, the total number of confirmed fatalities now stands at 46.
The statement noted that earlier reports had suggested 63 deaths, but some of those initially counted were later found alive.
“We confirm that the total number of fatalities resulting from the tragic fatal crash along the Kampala–Gulu Highway at Kitaleeba Village stands at 46, according to the latest update from the hospital,” police said.
“At the time of the crash, several victims were found unconscious, and some may have been mistakenly included in the initial fatality count. We are working in close coordination with health and emergency services to ensure accurate and timely updates as the situation develops,” the statement added.