Truck ferrying NRM supporters crashes in Serere, killing one

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Tragedy struck on Monday when a vehicle transporting supporters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) from Serere Town Council to Kyere Town Council in Serere district was involved in a road crash. One person lost his life, and 18 others sustained injuries.

The supporters were returning from a rally addressed by President Yoweri Museveni at Serere district headquarters on Monday (November 3).

The incident occurred at around 3 pm at Ocaapa Cattle Market and involved a white Fuso vehicle with registration number UBP 858V.

Among the injured was a young man named Emmanuel Opolot, 24, who unfortunately succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to Serere Health Centre IV for treatment.

Opolot lived with his grandfather, a retired teacher known as Constant Opolot Otim, alias Asaaja, in Abuket parish, Kyere subcounty. He originally hailed from Ococwa in Kobuin subcounty, Ngora district.

John Esadu, the LCIII chairperson for Kyere subcounty, reported that three of the injured remain in critical condition, but health personnel were doing their best to manage the situation with hopes for their recovery.

"The deceased had injuries to his waist, and excessive internal bleeding may have contributed to his death. As blood was being sourced from Apapai Health Centre IV, he tragically passed away just as the blood arrived," Esadu explained.

The injured, who include individuals from the parishes of Olupe, Kamurojo, Abuket, and Kyere, suffered various injuries ranging from head trauma to broken limbs.

A resident of Kamurojo parish, Robert Omukoyo, who suffered broken legs, shared his account of the accident. He noted that the driver appeared to be handling the situation well until he pulled over to let oncoming traffic pass.

Upon re-entering the road, the back tyre hit a pothole, causing the vehicle’s frame to break due to its heavy load of over 100 passengers.

James Peter Aenu, Kyere subcounty's NRM chairperson, has called on the President to assist with the funeral costs for the deceased and to support the treatment of the injured.

Stephen Mukombe, the acting public relations officer and community liaison officer for the South Kyoga Region, confirmed the incident. He noted that his team is working on compiling a detailed report as investigators continue to assess the situation.