Driver arrested after bus crash leaves 31 injured in Arua
Thirty-one people were injured when a bus crashed along the Arua-Nebbi Highway in Enzeva, Arua district, with police attributing the incident to unlawful overtaking by the driver.
The Nile Star bus that overturned at Enzeva Hill along the Arua-Nebbi Highway on Monday night. (Photo by Ronald Oguzu).
__________________ The Nile Star bus that overturned along the Arua-Nebbi Highway on Monday night remains at the scene on Tuesday. (Photo by Ronald Oguzu).
Thirty-one people were injured when a bus crashed along the Arua-Nebbi Highway in Enzeva, Arua district, with police attributing the incident to unlawful overtaking by the driver.
The incident occurred at about 8:45 pm on November 2, 2026, at Enzeva Hill in Yivu village, Olupi parish, Arivu subcounty, at a section of the road bordering Ajia and Arivu subcounties.
The yellow Isuzu bus, registration number UBF 621T, was travelling from Arua city to Kampala when the driver reportedly attempted to overtake a trailer along a narrow section of the road. He lost control, causing the bus to veer off the road into a valley and overturn, injuring the passengers on board.
SSP Josephine Angucia, the West Nile regional police spokesperson, said preliminary investigations pointed to unlawful overtaking as the cause of the crash.
Investigations are continuing under Arua District TAR 54/2026.
Police responded to the scene and rushed the injured passengers to Kuluva Mission Hospital, Arua Regional Referral Hospital and other facilities for treatment. The bus remained at the scene under police guard, as arrangements were made to tow it to the police station.
Angucia urged motorists to avoid unlawful overtaking and properly assess road conditions before attempting to pass other vehicles.
SP Hussein Nuwagaba, the Arua District Police Commander, said 31 people had been injured and admitted to Kuluva Mission Hospital and Arua Regional Referral Hospital.
Of these, 23 were admitted to Arua Regional Referral Hospital and eight to Kuluva Mission Hospital.
Police had so far identified 26 of the injured passengers. They are Gloria Afakoru, Eveline Enzo, Vincent Mulabe, Pius Rwothomio, Lucky Atusi, Ricky Mama, Joel Tshirenga, Becky Nkumba, Martha Tshibona, Boniface Cosmas, Stephen Anderini, George Toko, David Anguyo, Davidio Kakule, Charles Badda, Sharon Rwothany, Lydia Nkuza, Viola Nigiza, Scovia Aniku, Brain Munguleni, Emmanuel Arike, Mubarak Ezama, Joy Draru, Flex Andu, Fatibu Zahara and Nathan Antaazi.
Speaking at the scene, Nuwagaba said the section where the bus overturned was in poor condition, with several potholes. He urged drivers to exercise caution on the road and avoid speeding. He also appealed to the bus company's management to caution its drivers against impatience.
Speaking to Arua One, Wise Amin, one of the bus company's directors, said the injured passengers had been taken to hospital and that no deaths had been reported.
Amin said the bus had travelled from Yumbe and stopped in Arua City to pick up additional passengers before proceeding to Kampala. He added that the section where the bus veered off the road had several potholes.