UWA probes Murchison Park elephant accident

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The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has launched an investigation into an accident that claimed lives of three Uganda Revenue Authority staff after a vehicle in which they were travelling knocked an elephant in Murchison Falls National Park.

“Investigations into the cause of the accident have commenced,” UWA said in a statement released today, May 25, 2026.

The wildlife body advised motorists travelling through protected areas to drive cautiously, noting that wild animals frequently cross roads within the parks.

UWA also conveyed condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the deceased and wished the injured a quick recovery. 

The accident, which occurred on May 24, 2026, along the Karuma-Pakwach road at the boundary of Murchison Falls National Park, left three people dead and four others injured.

According to Police, three people died while four others, including the driver, sustained injuries after a Toyota Hiace registration number UA 20121AA knocked an elephant that was crossing the road.

The bodies of the deceased were taken to Anaka Hospital, while the injured victims were rushed to Kiryandongo Hospital for treatment before being transferred to Kampala for further management.

Michael Kananura, the spokesperson and liaison officer for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, said the vehicle was carrying seven URA officials travelling from Arua to Kampala after official duty when the driver hit the elephant and lost control of the vehicle.