ACCIDENT | FUEL TANKER | R.NILE

KIRYANDONGO - Two people have reportedly died after a speeding fuel tanker plunged into River Nile at Karuma Bridge in Kiryandongo district, Saturday.

Two people were seen in the vehicle, believed to be the driver and the turn man are missing as the vehicle is completely submerged. 

Sources say the vehicle registration number UAS 337M with trailer number MMF 450 believed to be from Gulu, lost control and plunged into the river.

Police at Kamdini checkpoint say they tried to stop the vehicle but it did not stop, adding that the occupants almost knocked a police officer.

Soldiers deployed to keep watch over the bridge say there were two people in the cabin and all are believed dead.

The regional police Spokesperson of North Kyoga, James Ekaju confirmed the report saying the vehicle has disappeared in the water with all the occupants.

Area community members say because of the sharp bent coming to the bridge, many drivers have lost control and plunged into the river.

“We don’t know the type of cargo and how many people it was carrying as it has disappeared in the water,” Ekaju said on phone. 

Area community members say the bridge has become a black spot and something needs to be done immediately.

They say because of the sharp bent coming to the bridge, many drivers have lost control and plunged into the river.

On March 1, 2021, a Fuso fighter lorry registration number UAT 574V loaded with soap from a factory in Lira survived plunging into River Nile at Karuma Bridge when it lost control, hit the rails of the bridge and overturned.

The driver, and turn man identified as Sam Opio were rescued by Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers who were keeping watch over Karuma Bridge.

Past accidents at Karuma

Several vehicles have plunged into the River Nile at Karuma bridge and disappeared without a trace.

Two people who were seen in the vehicle, believed to be the driver and the turn man are missing as the vehicle is completely submerged.

In July 2017, three people including a driver, turn man and a passenger died following an accident in which a Tata lorry registration number UAW 356, loaded with dried cassava, travelling from Paidah town in Nebbi District heading to Hoima lost control and plunged into the river at Karuma Bridge in Kirynadongo District.

The victims were identified as Ibrahim Abunyang, the owner of the consignment, Faruku Arafat, the driver and Karibu Saridi Baraza, the turn boy.

In April 2018, a cargo lorry carrying cotton seeds from the Democratic Republic of Congo plunged into the Nile River at Karuma Falls Bridge after losing control. The driver survived with injuries.

In October 2018, a Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter lorry registration number UAL 891D loaded with over ten tons of maize grain from Bweyale in Kiryandongo district to Elego border between Uganda and South Sudan plunged into the river near Karuma bridge.

In May 2018, Erute North MP Charles Angiro Gutomoi got an accident while driving his Toyota Noah vehicle registration number UAU 089G. He collided with a Fuso lorry Reg. No. UAJ730U. He sustained a fractured leg.

In June 2018, a Fuso lorry registration no UAS 994Y carrying palm tree logs from Lira to Masindi, with two occupants lost control and plunged into River Nile at Karuma Bridge.

The driver identified as Adam Nabwisho survived with serious injuries and was rushed for treatment at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor.