Police officer killed, nine injured in car accident

By Richard Drasimaku      

A police officer has been killed and nine others injured in a nasty accident which occurred early Saturday morning.

The ten were traveling from Yumbe district to Arua town for special duty when the new double cabin pickup they were traveling in overturned at a sharp corner.

There are conflicting reports on what actually caused the accident which is reported to have occurred at 6.30am.

One account has it that the vehicle was overspeeding and when the driver struggled to negotiate the corner near Abi Zonal Agricultural Research Institute 8km from Arua town, one of the tires burst, causing the overturn.

From another version, the car brushed against a cow, causing the driver to lose control and fall off.

Josephine Angucia, the police spokesperson for West Nile said investigations were still being held to ascertain the actual cause of accident.

She identified the deceased as police constable Denis Azabo from Wolo parish in Odravu sub-county, Yumbe district.

Those injured and admitted at Arua hospital were Ben Abamaku who was the driver, James Ocaku, Jonathan Angufiru, Wikoru Lemeriga Osua, Muyodi Elvis Khin, Ribajo Gokito and Tom Driwale.

Others were Darwin Noah Afisa, Gavan Alemiga, Gideon Aluma and Zurah Ayikoru who was a babysitter to Darwin’s baby.

The six-month old baby, Prince Tamhed miraculously emerged from the accident unhurt.

The rest of the survivors sustained soft tissue injuries with a few suspected fractures, according to the doctors.

They were called to bolster police presence in Arua town following threats by anonymous people to stage a demonstration over rumours that over 60 HIV positive Ugandan women were being killed in South Sudan.

They reportedly spread leaflets in Arua and Koboko towns calling on the people to riot to express disappointment against the government’s failure to condemn South Sudan over the rumour recently published in a tabloid paper.

The anti-riot police moved up and down the town but there was no sign of a demonstration as the people minded their own business.