What began as a joyous welcome for United Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA/UTOF) National Chairperson Hajj Rashid Ssekindi following his return from the holy pilgrimage in Mecca ended in tragedy on Monday after a vehicle in his convoy was involved in a fatal road crash, leaving one person dead and more than 10 others seriously injured.
Hundreds of supporters, including taxi drivers and members of the Muslim community, gathered at Entebbe International Airport early Monday to receive Ssekindi after he completed the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The atmosphere was festive as supporters escorted him to Lido Beach Hotel in Entebbe, where more well-wishers joined the celebrations.
The convoy later proceeded through various parts of Entebbe amid chants, cheers, and celebrations as supporters accompanied the UTOF leader on his journey home.
However, the celebrations turned tragic near Busabala when one of the vehicles in the convoy, an omnibus van popularly known as Drone registration number UBP 493E, reportedly lost control and collided head-on with a taxi, registration number UAW 915J, which was travelling in the opposite direction.
The impact caused the vehicle to overturn, crushing several people who had been riding on top of it. One person died instantly, while more than 10 others sustained serious injuries.
The injured were rushed to Kiruddu National Referral Hospital for treatment as supporters and bystanders joined rescue efforts to assist victims trapped beneath the wreckage.
The accident cast a dark cloud over the homecoming celebrations, with many supporters breaking down in tears as news of the fatality spread through the crowd.
Speaking during a special Dua held at his residence later in the day, Ssekindi expressed gratitude to those who turned up to welcome him home but said he was deeply saddened by the tragedy.
“I thank all those who came to welcome me back from the Holy Land. However, my heart is heavy because what was meant to be a day of joy has ended in pain for some of our brothers and sisters,” Ssekindi said.
He extended condolences to the bereaved family and offered prayers for the injured.
“On behalf of UTOF and my family, I extend my deepest condolences to the family that has lost their loved one. We pray that Allah grants the deceased Jannah and gives a quick recovery to all those injured,” he added.
The prayer session was attended by the Super Supreme Mufti of Uganda, who congratulated Ssekindi upon fulfilling one of Islam's five pillars and urged Muslims to remain steadfast in their faith.
The Mufti also called on motorists and the public to exercise caution during public celebrations and processions, noting that moments of joy should never result in the loss of life.
The crash transformed what had been planned as a triumphant homecoming into a day of mourning, leaving the UTOF fraternity and the wider Muslim community grieving the loss of one of their own while praying for the recovery of those injured.
Police had not yet issued an official statement on the crash by press time, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident were ongoing.