Runaway truck kills five, injures 21 on Kampala-Bombo road

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Five people have been confirmed dead, and 21 others injured in a road crash that occurred on the evening of March 5, 2025, at Mayanja valley on Kampala-Bombo road.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Traffic Police spokesperson Michael Kananura, the crash involved nine motor vehicles and one motorcycle.

The vehicles were identified as UBQ 745N (Toyota Noah), UAY 704B (Toyota Hiace), UAT 652K (Toyota Hiace), UBK 769A (Fuso Super Grande), UBD 829G (Toyota Hiace), UAL 333C (Toyota Corolla), UAV 026F (Toyota Hiace), UBQ 062B (Toyota Sienta), UBD 483N (Toyota Hiace), and a Yamaha motorcycle (UES 773K).

Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver of a Fuso Super Grande (UBK 769A), traveling from Kampala to Bombo, lost control while descending Mayanja valley. This resulted in a devastating collision with nine other vehicles and a motorcycle traveling in the same direction.

The impact instantly killed five occupants from the affected vehicles and the motorcycle rider, while 21 passengers in the Toyota Hiace taxis sustained injuries.

The injured victims were rushed to Mulago Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to Mulago City Mortuary. The vehicles involved were towed to Kawempe Police Station for inspection as investigations into the accident commence.

Kananura urged all motorists to prioritise road safety by ensuring their vehicles are in good mechanical condition, adhering to speed limits, and practising defensive driving to prevent such tragic incidents.

One of the taxis which was knocked by the Fuso box body. (Photo by Wasswa B. Ssentongo)

However, eyewitness Denis Mpagi, a survivor and the driver of UBD 829G, shared his terrifying experience.

"I was driving towards Kampala when I saw the truck knocking other cars. The most frightening moment was when it came straight at mine. I had no choice but to steer into a trench to save my passengers," Mpagi recounted.

He appealed to the government to introduce regulations for night-time travel, arguing that some vehicles should only be allowed to operate at night to reduce accidents.

Residents also called on authorities to install more speed humps on Kampala-Bombo Road, citing a rise in crashes in the area.