Police hunt for tourist van driver after fatal Mpigi crash

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Police on Monday, May 26 2025, said they were hunting for the driver of a tourist van that defied their directives and failed to stop, only to overturn, killing one of its passengers.

Micheal Kananura, the Traffic and Safety Directorate spokesperson, said six more people were injured following the Sunday accident at Lwafumu Forest, Bunjako–Buwama in Mpigi district.

“One person has been confirmed dead and six others injured following a fatal crash that occurred yesterday, Sunday, May 25, 2025, at around 5:45pm at Lwafumu Forest, Bunjako–Buwama in Mpigi District,” Kananura said.

Videos and photos of the ill-fated vehicle show revellers seated on top of the tourist van while others hung on its doors. (Courtesy photo)

He explained that the crash involved motor vehicle UBM 672G (Drone), whose driver is currently on the run.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver was speeding and carrying passengers in a dangerously unsafe manner. The vehicle reportedly lost control, hit a pavement and overturned, killing one passenger instantly and injuring six others,” he added.

Kananura said this particular vehicle had earlier been flagged by traffic police at Lungala, Mpigi, alongside three other cars: UBG 649K, UBM 631E and UAR 351Z, which were intercepted for multiple violations, including breach of operator’s licence, carrying passengers in unsafe positions, careless driving and obscured registration plates.

He said the drivers of these intercepted vehicles were detained at Mpigi Police, but the driver of UBM 672G, along with others, defied police directives and failed to stop.

“We strongly urge all motorists to comply with the directives by police officers, especially when stopped or directed in any way. What may appear to be an inconvenience could in fact be a critical, life-saving intervention. We also issue a stern warning to all drivers and operators who continue to endanger lives by transporting passengers in unsafe and illegal ways. We are aware of the season, but public safety must not be compromised,” Kananura added.

He called upon all road users to prioritise road safety and value their lives and those of others.

“Let us work together to prevent avoidable tragedies on our roads,” he noted.

Videos and photos of the ill-fated vehicle show revellers seated on top of the tourist van while others hung on its doors. The vehicle could also be seen being driven recklessly as the driver swerved on the highway.

The annual crime report released in February this year by the Uganda Police Force indicated that in 2024, the country recorded 25,107 road crashes – a 6.4% increase compared to previous years.

These incidents resulted in 25,808 casualties, up from 24,728 in 2023, despite ongoing government and civil society efforts to reduce accidents. A total of 4,434 of the crashes were fatal.