Police seek help identifying crash victims as road deaths rise

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The Police's Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has appealed to the public to help it identify two deceased persons who perished in a recent road crash in Mukono district. The development follows the Police reporting a spike in fatal road incidents last week, most of which were attributed to reckless driving.

While addressing journalists on May 12, 2025, at the joint weekly media briefing at Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala city, Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura said the bodies—one male and one female adult—are currently lying unclaimed at Kayunga Hospital.

“The two victims died in a crash that occurred on April 26, 2025, along the Nalubabwe on the Nakifuuma-Kayunga Road,” Kananura said.

 “They were riding a motorcycle registration number UFR 930E, which is registered in the name of Isma Tandele. Unfortunately, attempts to contact him have been futile as his phone is off.”

According to the Police, the motorcycle was headed from Kayunga towards Nakifuuma when it was involved in a fatal collision with a motor vehicle that was overtaking recklessly. Both the rider and passenger died on the spot.

“We appeal to anyone with missing relatives or friends to visit Kayunga Hospital to help identify and claim the bodies. Your co-operation is vital in reuniting these victims with their families,” Kananura added.

Reckless driving behind rising road fatalities

Kananura noted that the past week saw a disturbing rise in road crashes, with motorcyclists accounting for 35% of all fatalities and passengers in motor vehicles contributing another 27%.

“The leading causes remain speeding and dangerous overtaking, which together accounted for 59% of all crashes recorded last week,” he said.

Among the most serious incidents was a fatal crash in Kapchorwa district where nine people died and three were injured after a cargo vehicle (Fuso truck) carrying both people and cows lost control at Sarajevo.

“The Fuso driver failed to brake, veered off the road and [the truck] overturned, killing nine [people] on the spot. Transporting passengers alongside livestock is not only illegal but also extremely dangerous,” Kananura warned.

Another crash along the Iganga-Tororo Highway claimed five lives and left four injured. Police said the driver of a drone vehicle collided head-on with a trailer while attempting a reckless overtaking manoeuvre on a narrow stretch.

In Nwoya District, six people were injured in a serious road crash that occurred on May 12, 2025, in Ayago. The victims, who were travelling in a bus en route from Kampala to Gulu, are currently receiving treatment at Anaka Hospital.

“The driver attempted to overtake another vehicle that was itself overtaking, all on a hill. The bus veered off the road and slammed into a trench after hitting a rock,” Kananura explained.

Four dead, 39 injured

Kananura also provided an update on a widely reported crash on the Katosi-Buikwe road last week. He confirmed that four people died and 39 were injured in the crash, which involved a fire that burned three victims beyond recognition.

“Three died on the spot and a fourth, a female juvenile, succumbed to injuries later at St Charles Lwanga Hospital in Buikwe,” he said.

“Of the 39 victims, 24 were taken to Kawolo Hospital, while 15 others were treated at St Charles Lwanga.”

Kananura noted that nine people sustained serious injuries, while 13 had minor wounds and were discharged. He clarified that the driver survived and did not die at the scene, as had been previously speculated on social media.

“The three bodies that were burnt are undergoing DNA analysis at the Buikwe district mortuary for proper identification. We urge the public to refrain from spreading unverified information,” he said.