Police hunt for hit-and-run driver linked to Mityana fatal crash

Police in the Wamala region have launched a hunt for an unidentified driver who fled the scene after a fatal road crash along the Kampala-Mityana highway on Friday.

The incident at Nulagabo, in Malangala Sub-County, involved a Toyota saloon car from Kampala heading towards Mityana, which crashed into a motorcycle with four people.

A 55-year-old cyclist died on spot while three people who travelled in the salon car sustained severe injuries. 

Wamala Region Police Spokesperson, Lameck Kigozi, stated that the driver lost control after futile attempt to overtake another car.

"Because he was driving at a very high speed, he failed to control his vehicle," Kigozi explained. "He swerved off the road, hit a pedal cyclist, and killed him instantly."

The deceased has been identified as Stephen Nyenge, a 55-year-old resident of Kabaka Njagala village, in Kiwawu parish.

First responders had to cut through the wreckage of the Toyota Wish to rescue three passengers who were trapped inside. The injured victims have been identified as Sumaya Nankunda, 25,  ​Agnes Nakiwala, 40, ​and Zaina Bukwira, 32.

The trio was rushed to a Koyada health facility in the same area for emergency first aid treatment, while the wreckages of the motor vehicle and the damaged bicycle were towed to the Mityana Traffic Parking Yard.

Driver at large

Police confirmed that the driver of the Toyota Wish jumped out of the wreckage immediately after the crash.

Kigozi appealed to anyone with information about his whereabouts to   report to Mityana Traffic Police or inform the nearest police station, so he can be apprehended."

Crash statistics

According to the 2025 Annual Crime and Traffic Safety Report, which was officially released by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba on March 30, 2026, showed an increase in road accidents by 3.7%.

A total of 4,602 accidents were classified as fatal and 13,563 as serious, marking a period of heightened risk for all road users.

The human toll has been particularly severe, with total deaths rising by 4.7% to 5,383 lives lost annually over the last five years.

This equates to a tragic average of 15 people dying every single day, while the number of people sustaining life-altering, serious injuries rose by 8.4% to 18,444.

The data identifies specific "danger zones" in terms of timing and demographics, noting that the window between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM is the deadliest time to be on the road.

Weekends remain the most hazardous period, with Friday recording the highest volume of crashes at nearly 4,000 incidents.

Pedestrians and motorcyclists continue to be the most vulnerable groups, with motorcycles involved in over 15,000 crashes throughout the year. Regionally, the Albertine North, Rwenzori West, and Masaka West areas recorded the highest severity rates, indicating that road safety remains a significant challenge outside the capital as well.