Defence state minister Oleru bodyguards die in Luwero crash

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Two soldiers in the convoy of defence state minister Huda Oleru have died and several others injured after their patrol car was involved in a head-on collision with a truck on the Kampala-Gulu highway.

Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah region Police spokesperson, said the head-on collision happened at Kalule Village, Nyimbwa Sub-County, Luwero district.

“On Sunday, December 7, 2025, at approximately 7:45pm, a fatal road traffic accident occurred along the Kampala-Gulu highway,” Twiineamazima says in a statement released today, December 8.

He says a white Fuso Fighter truck, registration number UAN 394Z, travelling from Kampala towards Luwero, attempted a reckless overtaking manoeuvre near Kalule.

“During this overtaking, the truck collided head-on with an oncoming green Toyota Hilux (registration UG 0388D), which was part of an official convoy of Huda, the state minister for defence and veteran affairs, travelling from Luwero towards Kampala. The collision resulted in the immediate death of one army officer, RA 275589 Lance Corporal Moses Edongoto, at the scene. Additionally, six army officers and two civilians sustained injuries and were rushed to General Military Hospital Bombo, urgently for treatment,” he added.

Twiineamazima said the vehicles involved were subsequently towed to Bombo Police Station for further investigations.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the cause of the crash was reckless overtaking by the driver of the Fuso truck,’ the statement reads.

According to a statement released by justice Minister Norbert Mao, whose convoy was following Oleru’s vehicle and stopped to help the victims, the second soldier succumbed to the injuries sustained in the accident.

“With the help of other travellers and locals, we rescued the escorts and managed to send the injured to Bombo military hospital. Unfortunately, one of the soldiers who was trapped in the pickup died instantly. We went to Bombo Hospital and confirmed that another soldier had died on arrival. Others were receiving treatment,” Mao said.

“I am grateful to my security team, who were the first responders. We also thank all those who were at the accident scene and did all they could to help the victims. I spoke to Defence Minister Oboth Oboth, who instructed the medial team from Bombo to respond. I also spoke to Huda, her vehicle was not affected by the accident,” Mao added.

He condoled with the families of the deceased soldiers and wished those who sustained injuries a quick recovery.

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In February this year, the traffic and road safety directorate released its 2024 road crash statistics, showing that more Ugandans are perishing in traffic crashes daily.

The report showed 5,144 Ugandans died in traffic crashes in 2024, translating to 14 daily deaths. This was an increase compared to 4,806 people who perished in road crashes in 2023, and this translated to 13 road deaths every day.

According to Lawrence Niwabiine, the commandant traffic and road safety directorate, more road deaths were recorded between 6:00pm and 8:00pm whereby 894 Ugandans lost their lives. This was followed by deaths that occurred between 8:00pm and 10:00pm which stood at 514 while the third highest road deaths occurred between 4:00pm and 6:00pm which stood at 511. 

“The highest number of crashes in 2024 (3,780) occurred between 18:00hrs and 19:59hrs. Similarly, fatal crashes (894) were also highest between 18:00hrs and 19:59hrs,” Niwabiine stated.

Police indicated that road deaths have continuously been on the rise. For instance, 4,534 died in 2022 traffic accidents which meant 12 people per day. The deaths rose to 4,806 in 2023 translating to 13 deaths per day and now 5,144 meaning 14 deaths each day.