An identified boda boda (motorcyle taxi) rider has been knocked dead by a speeding truck in Mbarara city.

His female passenger, also unidentified, survived with serious injuries and was taken to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for emergency treatment.

Police said the deadly crash happened just after 10am Thursday on the Mbarara-Kabale Road in western Uganda.

Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi region Police spokesperson, said a white Mitsubishi Fuso truck (UBH 213G) hit a red motorcycle (UEY 760P) travelling in the opposite direction.

The rider died on the spot.

The truck was carrying building materials (tiles) and was headed in the direction of Kabale, he said.

The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which swerved out of its lane and collided with an oncoming boda boda.

The rider died on the spot and his body was later taken to Mbarara Hospital for a postmortem examination and identification.

The female passenger sustained serious injuries.

Kasasira said Police found the victims without any identification documents at the scene.

Among the onlookers were some boda boda riders who claimed that the dead man was called Innocent Gumoshabe, also known as Mukiga.

They said he was operating at Sedi stage in Katete, Nyamitanga in Mbarara City South Division.

New Vision could not immediately verify this information.

Meanwhile, the three occupants of the truck, including the driver, fled the scene.

Kasasira said Police are hunting for particularly the fugitive driver. He said they would be able to identify him and the vehicle's owner after towing it to Mbarara Central Police Station.

He warned motorists against speeding to avoid similar crashes and deaths.