One dead, dozens injured in two accidents in Lira, Dokolo 

The injured arrive at Lira Hospital

One person has been confirmed dead and several others injured in two different accidents that took place in Lira and Dokolo districts involving mourners who were from different locations.

The first accident took place at Ogur on Lira Kitgum road at around 1:00pm involving a group of mourners from Alebtong district who were traveling to Lalogi in Omoro district to attend a funeral of a man who died in motorcycle accident.

The second accident where several others were injured happened on Lira Dokolo road at around 6:45pm involving a group of mourners from Abuli in Nambieso, Apac district who were returning from a funeral in Loro, Oyam district.

In the first accident, one person died and over 27 others were injured, when the lorry they were traveling in overturned in Ogur. 

Margaret Ongom, 68, who was complaining of rib pain said the youthful driver was driving carelessly and and ignored their warnings.

The OC traffic of Lira, Muhammad Bigirwa, confirmed the accident and attributed the cause to overloading. He identified the dead as Jimmy Opio, 57, who died on arrival at Ogur Health Centre IV.

Bigirwa said the injured were rushed to Ogur Health Centre IV for first aid treatment and those seriously injured were evacuated to Lira Regional Referral Hospital, many of them with fractured legs.

Bigirwa said the driver Morris Okello was arrested and was still being held at Ogur police post. 

The regional Police commander, John Peter Ematu, said no one died in the Dokolo accident and that those who were injured were taken to Lira Hospital and Dokolo Health Centre IV.

Birgirwa said most of the accidents are happening where there are no traffic Police officers. He said they are starting to deploy officers in rural roads to help fight traffic offenders to reduce road accidents.