20 perish in Mpigi accident

20 people have died and many others seriously injured in an accident involving four vehicles at Kampiringisa, Kammengo Sub County in Mpigi district along the Kampala-Masaka Highway.

The accident involved four vehicles all from Masaka heading to Kampala with registration numbers; KBN 290X (trailer), UAN 443P (taxi), UAS 567C (Toyota Noah) and UAX 781N (taxi).

According to eyewitnesses, the accident happened at around 5:30pm on Saturday evening when the speeding Noah knocked a trailer and the trailer lost control before running over two taxis.

According to Juma Mayungwe, a bodaboda cyclist at Kampiringisa stage, the accident was caused by the driver of the Noah who was trying to overtake a line of vehicles from Masaka.

Police took the injured to Mpigi Helath Centre IV for first aid before they were transferred to Mulago Hospital for further treatment while the bodies of the deceased were taken to Mulago Hospital mortuary.

The Toyota Noah that eyewitnesses say triggered the accident. Photo by Simon Ssekidde

Kampiringisa is listed as one of the black spots along the Masaka-Kampala highway and fatal accidents happen there regularly

According to Katonga Region Police spokesperson, Philip Mukasa, they have not yet confirmed the number of the dead because very many people were rushed to hospital in dire condition and they expect the death toll to rise.

The wreckage of the vehicles involved in the accident were towed to Kammengo Police Station and according to Mukasa, Police has launched investigations into the actual cause for the accident.