Ugandan soldier killed in Mabira car crash

By Cecilia Okoth

A Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) officer was killed in a morning accident that also claimed the life of his driver in Mabira forest along the Kampala-Jinja highway Saturday.

Their car, a white Toyota Premio, was hit by a bus as they were entering the highway.

According to the Savannah and Ssezibwa Police spokesperson, Lameck Kigozi, the two were driving from an access road in Sagazi, Lugazi when a bus belonging to the YY coaches company rammed into their vehicle.

Lt. Col. Yusuf Lubega and his fellow car occupant, identified only as Mawanda, died on spot, police said.

According to the army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, Lt. Col. Lubega had just returned from Somalia on a peace keeping mission.

The bodies were taken to Kawolo Hospital and both vehicles towed to Lugazi Police Station.

Kigozi said the bus driver identified as Swale Okitoi was taken into Police custody where he later recorded a statement on the matter.

It is understood the bus was en route from Kampala.

Meanwhile, the Police are also hunting for a driver who knocked down two pedestrians in a hit-and-run accident at Katazi along Entebbe Road.

Godfrey Ninsiima, the Entebbe divisional Police commander, told New Vision that the incident which occurred at 11:00pm on Saturday, saw one of the victims die on the spot whereas the other is lying unconscious at Grade B hospital in Entebbe.

“Investigations are currently ongoing but we are hoping that the woman who survived will help us find the driver.”

He said the body was taken to Mulago Hospital for a postmortem check.

Both women, who were moving along the street, have not yet been identified and are said to have been drunk at the time.

Police reports indicate that most fatal accidents are as a result of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Late last year, the Traffic Police and the Transport Licensing Board started suspending any bus driver involved in a fatal accident from driving any Public Service Vehicle (PSV) for one year.

Dr. Stephen Kasiima, the director of traffic and road safety, said upon completion of the suspension, the drivers will have to undergo refresher training before being allowed to drive buses again.

He said it has been common practice among bus drivers to seek employment in other bus companies once they cause fatal accidents.