At Least 63 Killed in Deadly Bus Collision on Major Uganda Highway

Kampala, October 22: A devastating road accident involving two passenger buses on one of Uganda’s busiest highways has claimed at least 63 lives, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The collision, described by officials as one of the deadliest road tragedies in recent years, occurred shortly after midnight on the main route connecting the capital city, Kampala, to the northern city of Gulu. According to a statement released by the Uganda Police Force, preliminary investigations suggest that both buses were attempting to overtake other vehicles — a lorry and a sport utility vehicle (SUV) — when they collided head-on. “In the process, both buses met head-on during the overtaking manoeuvres. Sixty-three people lost their lives, all occupants from the involved vehicles,” the police said in a post on X. The impact of the crash was so severe that both vehicles were completely wrecked, leaving debris scattered across the highway and causing a temporary shutdown of traffic between Kampala and Gulu. Emergency response teams, including police officers, paramedics, and local residents, rushed to the scene to rescue survivors and recover the bodies. Several of the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, though officials have warned that the death toll could rise as some victims remain in critical condition. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation in the immediate aftermath of the collision. “We heard a loud crash and ran to see what had happened. The buses were completely crushed,” said a local trader from the nearby town of Karuma, which lies along the highway. “People were trapped inside, and rescue efforts went on for hours.” The police have since launched a full investigation into the accident, focusing on the driving behaviour of both bus operators and the condition of the vehicles involved. Authorities are also looking into whether excessive speed, driver fatigue, or poor visibility at night contributed to the crash. Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and urged transport companies to prioritize safety. “This horrific accident is a painful reminder of the dangers of reckless driving. We urge all drivers to exercise maximum caution, especially on highways,” he said in a public statement. Road accidents remain a major cause of death in Uganda, where poor road conditions, reckless driving, and overcrowded public transport vehicles frequently lead to fatal crashes. Government data shows that more than 4,000 people die annually in road accidents across the country, prompting ongoing campaigns to enforce stricter traffic regulations and promote safer driving practices. As investigations continue, the Ugandan authorities have vowed to take strict action against those found responsible. The wreckage of both buses has been towed from the scene, and the highway has been reopened for traffic. For many families, however, the tragedy has left behind immense grief and loss. Local leaders have called for national mourning and renewed focus on improving road safety measures to prevent such devastating incidents in the Uganda Bus Crash Kills at Least 63 People A tragic road accident in Uganda has left at least 63 people dead after two buses collided head-on along the busy Kampala-Gulu highway. Police said the crash occurred just after midnight when both buses, attempting to overtake other vehicles, collided during the manoeuvre. All occupants of the vehicles involved lost their lives. Rescue teams rushed to the scene to assist survivors and recover bodies, while several injured were taken to nearby hospitals. Authorities have launched an investigation into reckless driving and speeding as Uganda mourns one of its deadliest road accidents in recent years.