26 Lira market traders injured in accident

By Hudson Apunyo

At least 26 market traders, mostly women are admitted at Lira regional referral hospital after being involved in an accident on their way from a market in Kaberamaido District.

The traders were traveling in Fuso truck loaded with their produce and merchandise from Kabalega Market in Kaberamaido.

The accident happened at around 9pm while it was raining.

Police reached at the scene on time to evacuate the injured and take them to hospital.

Okello Willy, a resident of Opila Village, Angwetangwet Parish in Adekokwok Parish, outside Lira town where the accident happened said he heard people crying and calling for help and he responded.

He said many people were covered with sacks of produce and boxes of electronics.

Dr. William Ocen, the director of the hospital said the victims were in stable condition.

More victims were requested to carry out an x-ray and CT scan to establish the problem with their waist, chest, and neck as many complained of severe pain.

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Children looking at the truck  which overturned and injured 26 traders.  PHOTO/ Hudson Apunyo

Ramathan Olepo, 24, a victim at the hospital said they were on top of a slope at Boroboro junction, 5km to Lira town when the truck failed to move up and started moving backwards down the slope and overturned.

Olepo sustained injuries on the leg and was complaining of chest pain.


Most of the victims sustained fractures on the legs and were complaining of severe chest and waist pain after sacks fell on them.


Some of the victims admitted to male surgical ward have been identified as Okuu Moses, 18 who sustained  fractured right leg, Ibrahim Omara, 63, complaining of head and chest pain, Odongo James, 30, severe chest and waist pain obstructing breathing, Ayo Ambrose, 16, chest, waist and abdominal pain.

Others are Awany Jimmy, 22, severe waist pain and unable to sit upright, Eyen Moses, 37, fractured right leg, Opio Solomon, 18, severe chest pain and injured leg.

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A doctor examining some of the victims at the female surgical ward. PHOTO/ Hudson Apunyo

Those admitted at female surgical ward includes; Angom Betty, 36 severe chest and waist pain, Akullo Evaline, 25, injured left arm, swollen face, and collar bone, Akello Christine, 45, sustained two fractures on both arm, chest and waist pain, Ayo Christine, 25, complaining of severe pain in the leg and chest, Awor Susan, 26, complaining of waist pain.


Others are; Akec Lucy, 35, sustained fractured left leg and chest pain, Brenda Okullo, 23, Akullo Eve, 20 and Awio Anna, 24, are complaining of severe pain on chest and waist, while Akello has injured leg.


Gladys Odongo sustained two fractures on the right arm.


Ejang Evaline, 29 is eight month pregnant and is complaining of severe waist pain, Aguti Stella, 28, sustain cuts on both legs and complaining of chest pain, Akullo Caroline, 32, experiencing  severe pain and complaining of abdomen swelling, Awino Stella, 30, chest jaw, injury on left foot.


Police attribute the cause of the accident to over speeding and overloading.

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Ramathan Olepo, 24 waiting for help at Lira Hospital. PHOTO/ Hudson Apunyo

The DPC Ashraf Chemonges who visited the scene said he will talk with the management of the park to urge the traders to always load their goods on one truck and they travel on another.


“We are yet to see the worst if nothing is done soon,” Chemonges said.


In another incident, a 16 year old tailor was knocked down a fuso lorry- UAM 413B on Olwol road. Semmy Akello was going to her work place when she was involved in an accident and sustained a fractured leg.

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