One dead in another road crash involving a bus

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A driver of a fuel tanker has died after a collision with a Baby Coach bus on the Pakwach-Nebbi Road — the crash happening a week after the government suspended the operations of another bus company.

Tuesday night's crash in Alwi-Payila in Uganda's northern district of Pakwach claimed the life of Issack Adan Omar, with no other fatalities recorded.

The incident happened at around 9:30pm.

Police said the bus was heading to Paidha district while the fuel tanker was destined for Pakwach.

The bus driver, only identified as Mustafa, was reported to be in a very serious condition following a crash whose exact cause was not immediately established.

The injured passengers of the bus were taken to different health facilities for medical attention.

West Nile region Police spokesperson Collins Asea said some of them were taken to Pakwach Health Centre IV in Pakwach.

Others had to be transferred to Angal Hospital in Nebbi and Lacor Hospital in Gulu, according to Dr John Bosco Oryema, the in-charge at Pakwach Health Centre IV.

The body of the deceased driver was taken to the mortuary at Pakwach Health Centre IV.

Dr Oryema said those admitted at the facility he oversees were not in critical condition.

"We received them, but most injured bus passengers were taken to Angal and Lacor hospitals," he told New Vision.

Suspended

The deadly crash happened a week after the transport ministry suspended the operations of YY Coaches for 15 days following "a series of serious accidents linked to reckless driving".

The announcement by transport state minister, Fred Byamukama, was made on May 13 as he addressed reporters in Kampala.

He said that during the suspension, authorities would inspect driver badges and permits, review driver schedules and training history, as well as investigate the use of aged and possibly underqualified drivers.

Byamukama said the bus company's operations "may resume after a full review".

YY Coaches was involved in two crashes in the first half of May.

On March 5, one of its buses flipped and caught fire in Buikwe district, killing three people and seriously injuring others.

A couple of days later, another YY bus moving from Kampala and headed for Yumbe district crashed just after the Karuma Junction, causing multiple injuries.

The Police Annual Crime Report of 2024 attributed most road crashes to reckless driving and poor road conditions, and it underlined the need for improved road infrastructure, stricter traffic enforcement and public awareness campaigns to reduce fatalities.

The report also showed that the most vulnerable users of Ugandan roads are motorcyclists and pedestrians.

In the wake of Tuesday's crash, Police urged the public on responsible road use and adherence to traffic rules and regulations.