A devastating road accident on the Ntungamo-Rukungiri Road early Wednesday morning has left six people dead and three others injured, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety in Uganda.
The collision involved a stationary Toyota Hiace taxi and an Isuzu bus owned by Kasaaba Bus Company.The tragic incident occurred at Kakiika in Ntungamo District when a Toyota Hiace taxi, registration number UBN 337H, traveling from Rukungiri to Ntungamo, experienced a tire puncture.
According to Kananura Michael, the traffic police spokesperson, the taxi driver parked on the right-hand side of the road and turned on the vehicle's headlights but did not place any hazard warning triangles to alert oncoming traffic.
"While attempting to fix the puncture, the driver had his headlights on but no hazard lights or warning triangles were placed, which is a critical safety lapse," stated Kananura.
Unfortunately, this lack of clear signaling contributed to the ensuing disaster.
The Isuzu bus, registration number UAP 385U, was traveling from Kampala to Rukungiri when it veered off the road and collided head-on with the stationary taxi.
The impact was catastrophic, resulting in the immediate deaths of six individuals, including the taxi driver, the turn man, and a police officer from Nsangi Police.
Emergency responders were quick to the scene, transporting the injured to Devine Health & Ntungamo Specialist Medical Centres for urgent medical attention.
The deceased were taken to Rwashameire Health Centre IV for post-mortem examinations.
The management of Kasaaba Bus Company extended their deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and provided their perspective on the tragic event.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life in this tragic accident. It is unfortunate that the taxi, despite having its headlights on, did not have hazard lights or warning triangles to indicate its mechanical issue and parked status," the company stated.
An eyewitness recounted the moment of the collision, "The bus driver tried to maneuver around the parked taxi, but it was too late to avoid the crash.
The scene was chaotic, with several passengers who had exited the taxi sustaining injuries. This incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures and adherence to traffic regulations.
Traffic police spokesperson Kananura urged drivers to always carry and use warning triangles to alert other road users of any hazards.
"Proper road safety practices, such as the use of hazard lights and warning triangles, are essential to prevent such tragic accidents. We urge all drivers to prioritize safety to avoid similar occurrences," Kananura emphasized.
As investigations into the accident continue, the community and authorities alike are calling for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations to protect lives on Uganda's roads.
