46 confirmed dead in Kampala-Gulu Highway crash

TRAGEDY STRIKES:

Uganda is this morning (Wednesday, October 22, 2025) reeling from a catastrophic road accident on the Kampala-Gulu Highway that has claimed the lives of 46 people and left scores injured. The horrific four-vehicle collision, which occurred at Kitaleba village near Asili Farm at approximately 12:15 am, has been primarily attributed to dangerous and careless overtaking. 

The fatal crash involved two large passenger buses (a Nile Star Coaches Isuzu bus (UBF 614X) and a Planet Company Isuzu bus (UAM 045V)) along with a Tata Lorry (UBK 647C) and a Toyota Surf (CGO 5132AB 07).

According to a preliminary report from the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, the tragedy unfolded when the driver of the Nile Star bus, heading from Kampala towards Gulu, attempted to overtake the Tata Lorry. Simultaneously, the Planet Company bus, travelling in the opposite direction, was also in the process of overtaking the Toyota Surf.

Police Spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, SP Kananura Michael, confirmed that the two buses met head-on in a devastating collision during these overtaking maneuvers. A split-second attempt to swerve to avoid the crash resulted in the initial head-on and side impact, which triggered a chain reaction, causing the other vehicles to lose control and overturn multiple times.

All 46 fatalities confirmed so far were occupants of the involved vehicles.

Kananura said that following the immediate police response, the injured victims were swiftly transported to Kiryandongo Hospital and other nearby medical facilities for urgent care. The bodies of the deceased have also been conveyed to the Kiryandongo Hospital mortuary for post-mortem and identification procedures. Authorities are working diligently to identify the victims and notify their next of kin.

This latest tragedy on a major national artery starkly highlights the persistent and growing issue of road carnage in Uganda. Police investigations are ongoing, but the preliminary finding underscores the critical danger of reckless driving habits.

SP Kananura Michael issued a strong public appeal, urging all motorists to "exercise maximum caution on the roads, especially avoiding dangerous and careless overtaking, which remains one of the leading causes of crashes in the country."