News
Omoro bus-truck crash death toll rises to 15, another 24 in hospital
Ten passengers among the deceased died on the spot, while five critically injured victims were pronounced dead by medics at the hospital.
Wreckage of the Opit bus following the road crash. (Credit: Denis Ojwee)
By: Dennis Ojwee, Journalist @New Vision
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On Wednesday (July 8) evening, the Uganda Police Force confirmed that three more people were confirmed dead, pushing the Omoro bus-truck death toll to 15 people.
Another 24 bus passengers who sustained serious injuries remain admitted at different hospitals.
Ten passengers among the deceased died on the spot, while five critically injured victims were pronounced dead by medics at the hospital.
The road crash occurred in Kulo-Otit, Lwena village, Bobi subcounty, Omoro district, about 20km to Gulu City centre, where the public bus with 65 passengers had earlier been flagged off some minutes before 9:00pm on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
The night grisly road crash occurred when an Isuzu Bus, bearing a Ugandan registration UBE 110H Isuzu Bus, green in colour, belonging to Opit Travelers’ Bus, had a head-on collision with a Mercedes Benz semi-trailer truck, bearing a Kenyan registration number KBS 564D/ZE7948.
A statement from the Bus Company indicated that some people with minor injuries or shock either returned to their homes or got alternative vehicles to different destinations.
The night grisly road crash occurred when an Isuzu Bus, bearing a Ugandan registration UBE 110H Isuzu Bus, green in colour, belonging to Opit Travelers’ Bus, had a head-on collision with a Mercedes Benz semi-trailer truck, bearing a Kenyan registration number KBS 564D/ZE7948.
A statement from the Bus Company indicated that some people with minor injuries or shock either returned to their homes or got alternative vehicles to different destinations.
Umaru Ahamed Hussein (38), a Kenyan native, was identified as the driver of the truck plying the Kampala-Juba route, while Abdul Ismail (55) is the driver of the crashed bus.
The Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson, David Ongom Mudong, said, “The police established that the driver of the bus was speeding. Even the truck could have been speeding. Witnesses said both the driver of the bus and that of the Lorry died instantly in the collision.
Emmanuel Rubangakene, one of the supervisors of Opit Bus Company, told New Vision that the bus conductor, Stanley Odoch, and the turn-man, John Amone, were among those who died on the spot.
Sources at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor revealed that the hospital received at least 14 injured persons, some in critical condition. The source said two of those in critical condition died shortly after arrival, while the condition of the remaining 12 had stabilised, with some discharged in the morning.
Uganda Police Force, Opit Bus Company management, and some bereaved persons listed the dead as:
The Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson, David Ongom Mudong, said, “The police established that the driver of the bus was speeding. Even the truck could have been speeding. Witnesses said both the driver of the bus and that of the Lorry died instantly in the collision.
Emmanuel Rubangakene, one of the supervisors of Opit Bus Company, told New Vision that the bus conductor, Stanley Odoch, and the turn-man, John Amone, were among those who died on the spot.
Sources at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor revealed that the hospital received at least 14 injured persons, some in critical condition. The source said two of those in critical condition died shortly after arrival, while the condition of the remaining 12 had stabilised, with some discharged in the morning.
Uganda Police Force, Opit Bus Company management, and some bereaved persons listed the dead as:
- Abdul Ismail, aged 55 years (driver of the bus).
- Ahmed Aden, from Mombasa, Kenya (Trailer occupant).
- Umar Ahmed Husein Kenyan (Trailer Driver)
- Aguti Justine Jesse, aged 23 years, of Koch Goma in Nwoya District. (Bus Passenger (BP)
- Ojok Bosco, aged 60 years, of Gulu Public, Layibi in Gulu City (BP).
- Ajok Harriet, aged 40 years, of Commercial Road, Gulu City (BP).
- Odoch Stanley Uhuru, aged 37 years, of Pece Laroo, Gulu City (BP).
- Apiyo Rose, aged 41 years, resident of Laroo, Gulu City (BP).
- Ausi Justine, aged 28 years, of Koch Ongako in Omoro District (BP.
- Ojok John Paul, aged 49 years, of Gulu City (BP).
- Odong Walter Uhuru, age 37 years, of Koch Oyaro in Omoro District (BP)
- Watmon John, male adult, aged 78 years, resident of Ongako Koch Goma (BP).
- Kinyera Godfrey Acire, male adult, aged 35 years, resident of Layibi in Gulu City (BP).
- Maniriho Philip, male adult, aged 30 years, resident of Tegwana in Gulu City (BP).
- Kadara Musamin, male adult, aged 28 years, resident of Kirombe Layibi in Gulu City (BP).
Victims admitted to the hospital include:
- Lamwaka Harriet, aged 28 years, of Airfield Bardege Division, Gulu City (BP).
- Daniel Wamimbi Fortunate, aged 26 years, student at Gulu University (BP).
- Angom Agnes, adult aged 20 years, of Alokolum, Gulu City (BP).
- Anena Happy Carol, aged 42 years, of Koro in Omoro District (BP).
- Lakado Jordan Joshua, aged 21 years, of Lacor Centre, Gulu City (BP).
- Oriba Deo, aged 30 years, resident of Lacor, Gulu City (BP).
- Opio Martin, aged 32 years, of Twonokun Laroo Pece Gulu City (BP).
- Andama Charles, aged 49 years, of Karuma (BPu).
- Komakech Robert, aged 40 years, from Gulu City (BP).
- Acayo Monica, aged 45 years, of Laroo Pece, Gulu City (BP).
- Piloya Florence, aged 46 years, of Gulu City (BP).
- Ayaa Suzan, aged 34 years, of Nakasero in Gulu City (BP).
- Adinan Ismail, aged 53 years, of Gulu City (BP).
- Agenrwoth Esther, aged 20 years, of Tegwana Pece Laroo Gulu City (BP).
- Okello Charles, aged 45 years, of Chubu Pece Laroo, Gulu City (BP).
- Acheng Jackline, aged 31 years, of Layibi Techo, Gulu City (BP).
- Achiro Suzan, aged 27 years, resident of Paradul camp, Lamwo District (BP).
- Acheng Stella, aged 42 years, of Tegwana Pece Laroo, Gulu City (BP).
- Limoo Denis, aged 25 years, of Eldoret, Kenya (Trailer passenger).
- Kasumba James, aged 45 years, of Buziga, Kampala (BP).
- Okee Steven, aged, of Gulu City (BP).
- Wongo Traver, aged 27 years, of Gulu City (BP).
- Martin Aliu, aged 39 years, of Gulu City (BP).
- Akello Florence, aged 52 years, of Acholi Bur in Pader District (BP).