Three killed, 12 injured in Napak truck crash
Kananura said the crash occurred after the truck’s front tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control before the vehicle overturned several times.
Michael Kananura, the Uganda Police spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety addressing journalists Monday, August 31, 2026, during the weekly security briefing at the police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
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Three people were killed while 12 others sustained injuries after a Fuso truck overturned several times in Napak District.
The fatal crash occurred at about 5:40pm on August 29, 2026, at Ladun along the Soroti-Moroto Highway.
Michael Kananura, the Uganda Police spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, said the crash involved motor vehicle registration number UBH 543A, which was travelling from Tororo carrying cattle and several people who were travelling on top of the truck.
He said the crash occurred after the truck’s front tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control before the vehicle overturned several times.
“Three people were killed on the spot, and 12 others were injured,” Kananura told journalists today (August 31) during the weekly security briefing at the police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala.
Kananura cautioned truck and goods vehicle operators against carrying passengers on top of their vehicles, saying the practice is illegal and poses a serious risk to passengers.
“Goods vehicles are not designed or licensed to carry passengers in this manner,” he said.
He urged vehicle owners and operators to ensure that their vehicles are properly maintained and thoroughly inspected before they are put on the road.
The crash comes amid continued police concerns over the practice of carrying passengers on goods vehicles, particularly trucks transporting livestock and other cargo.
While releasing the 2025 annual traffic statistics in April this year, Traffic and Safety Directorate Director at the Uganda Police Force, Lawrence Niwabiine, said a total of 26,044 road traffic crashes were reported in 2025, compared to 25,107 crashes recorded in 2024, representing an increase of 3.7%.
Niwabiine said that of the 26,044 crashes, 4,602 were fatal, meaning that one or more lives were lost, while 13,563 were serious and 7,879 were minor.
The data identifies specific "danger zones" in terms of timing and demographics, noting that the window between 6:00pm and 8:00pm 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 Kampala.