News
Kabale Catholic nun, one other person killed in road crash
Tumushime said passengers who sustained serious injuries had been identified as Jenerus Katushabe, a 47-year-old woman and resident of Nyakabungo village, Kishanje parish, Bufundi subcounty in Rubanda district; Abed Hakiza, a 30-year-old Rwandan national; and Hamis Garuka.
A car lies damaged after crashing along the Kabale-Kisoro road in Rubanda district. (Courtesy)
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalist @New Vision
_______________ Rev. Sister Mary Gorreti Tugumenawe Kenda. (Courtesy)
Two people were killed on Monday, September 21, after the vehicle they were travelling in overturned on the Kabale-Kisoro road in Rubanda district.
One of the victims was a 58-year-old nun attached to Rushoroza Catholic Diocese in Kabale district, while the other was an unidentified man.
Nelson Tumushime, the Kigezi Region police spokesperson, identified the deceased nun as Rev. Sister Mary Gorreti Tugumenawe Kenda and said several other passengers sustained serious injuries and were transported to hospital for urgent medical care.
“The Traffic Police in Rubanda district is currently investigating a single fatal road crash that occurred on Monday at about 2:00 pm. The tragic incident occurred at Murutenga village, Hamurwa subcounty along Kabale -Kisoro road in Rubanda district,” Tumushime said.
“It is alleged that the driver of motor vehicle Reg No UAX 824 H, Toyota Noah, silver in colour, lost control due to overspeeding while descending a steep slope, causing it to overturn several times. As a result, one individual died on the spot and has been identified as Rev. Sister Kenda, a 58-year-old attached to Rushoroza Catholic Diocese in Kabale district, and another unidentified male died immediately after arriving at Rubanda Hospital,” he added.
Tumushime said passengers who sustained serious injuries had been identified as Jenerus Katushabe, a 47-year-old woman and resident of Nyakabungo village, Kishanje parish, Bufundi subcounty in Rubanda district; Abed Hakiza, a 30-year-old Rwandan national; and Hamis Garuka.
“We condole with the family, the Catholic Church and the Congregation of Rev. Sr Tugumenawe Mary Gorreti and wish recovery to the injured,” Tumushime noted.
“It is alleged that the driver of motor vehicle Reg No UAX 824 H, Toyota Noah, silver in colour, lost control due to overspeeding while descending a steep slope, causing it to overturn several times. As a result, one individual died on the spot and has been identified as Rev. Sister Kenda, a 58-year-old attached to Rushoroza Catholic Diocese in Kabale district, and another unidentified male died immediately after arriving at Rubanda Hospital,” he added.
Tumushime said passengers who sustained serious injuries had been identified as Jenerus Katushabe, a 47-year-old woman and resident of Nyakabungo village, Kishanje parish, Bufundi subcounty in Rubanda district; Abed Hakiza, a 30-year-old Rwandan national; and Hamis Garuka.
“We condole with the family, the Catholic Church and the Congregation of Rev. Sr Tugumenawe Mary Gorreti and wish recovery to the injured,” Tumushime noted.
He appealed to all motorists to exercise maximum caution, avoid speeding and overloading, and ensure vehicles are in good mechanical condition before setting off on the road.
Traffic death statistics
While releasing the 2025 Annual Traffic Report, Lawrence Niwabiine, the Director of Traffic and Road Safety at the Uganda Police Force, said Uganda experienced a significant rise in road traffic deaths, with 5,383 fatalities reported.
The figure represented an increase from 5,144 deaths in 2024, an average of about 15 fatalities per day.
The highest number of crashes occurred in December, with 2,443 incidents, while the lowest was recorded in June, with 1,978 incidents.
The peak in fatalities was recorded between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm, with 3,484 deaths during this period.
Traffic death statistics
While releasing the 2025 Annual Traffic Report, Lawrence Niwabiine, the Director of Traffic and Road Safety at the Uganda Police Force, said Uganda experienced a significant rise in road traffic deaths, with 5,383 fatalities reported.
The figure represented an increase from 5,144 deaths in 2024, an average of about 15 fatalities per day.
The highest number of crashes occurred in December, with 2,443 incidents, while the lowest was recorded in June, with 1,978 incidents.
The peak in fatalities was recorded between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm, with 3,484 deaths during this period.