Valentine Day fan dies in car crash
Jun 16, 2008
ONE of the smartest taxi drivers and reknown Valentine Day fan, Deus Kirunda, died yesterday in a car accident on the Masaka-Kampala highway. Kirunda, a resident of Mukoko in Bukulula sub-county, Masaka district, has been a long-serving driver on the road, which claimed his life.
By Eddie Ssejjoba
and Ali Mambule
ONE of the smartest taxi drivers and reknown Valentine Day fan, Deus Kirunda, died yesterday in a car accident on the Masaka-Kampala highway.
Kirunda, a resident of Mukoko in Bukulula sub-county, Masaka district, has been a long-serving driver on the road, which claimed his life.
He gained fame celebrating the February 14 Valentine’s Day annually in style with his wife, Josephine Nansamba.
Nansamba was yesterday reportedly too shocked to talk about her husband’s tragic death, according to the couple’s daughter, who only identified herself as Nakirunda.
The southern regional Police chief, Andrew Sorowen, said Kirunda died at Masaka Hospital, where he was rushed by a Good Samaritan.
Immaculate Nalweyiso, a trader in Masaka town, who was pregnant, died on the spot. Twelve other passengers survived, but three were admitted to Nkozi Hospital with serious injuries.
Among the injured was a Catholic priest, Fr. Francis Kayiira of Mathatha diocese in South Africa, who said the passengers screamed when three men ran from the opposite direction and abruptly crossed the road.
“The accident occurred at 5:45am at Nabyewanga, when Kirunda tried to dodge three pedestrians.
“He hit one dead, causing the vehicle to skid off the road and overturning several times,†said Sorowen.
He added that the pedestrians were drunk. But residents suspected they could have been robbers.
“One of the men, only identified as Sserunjogi, was arrested and taken to Buwama Police Station but was found still drunk while his colleagues are on the run.â€
On Valentine’s Day, Kirunda and his wife would drive through the streets of Masaka and Kampala.
He always wore a necktie and a suit and was once voted the smartest driver in Masaka. Nansamba also drives a taxi plying the Masaka-Mutukula road.
and Ali Mambule
ONE of the smartest taxi drivers and reknown Valentine Day fan, Deus Kirunda, died yesterday in a car accident on the Masaka-Kampala highway.
Kirunda, a resident of Mukoko in Bukulula sub-county, Masaka district, has been a long-serving driver on the road, which claimed his life.
He gained fame celebrating the February 14 Valentine’s Day annually in style with his wife, Josephine Nansamba.
Nansamba was yesterday reportedly too shocked to talk about her husband’s tragic death, according to the couple’s daughter, who only identified herself as Nakirunda.
The southern regional Police chief, Andrew Sorowen, said Kirunda died at Masaka Hospital, where he was rushed by a Good Samaritan.
Immaculate Nalweyiso, a trader in Masaka town, who was pregnant, died on the spot. Twelve other passengers survived, but three were admitted to Nkozi Hospital with serious injuries.
Among the injured was a Catholic priest, Fr. Francis Kayiira of Mathatha diocese in South Africa, who said the passengers screamed when three men ran from the opposite direction and abruptly crossed the road.
“The accident occurred at 5:45am at Nabyewanga, when Kirunda tried to dodge three pedestrians.
“He hit one dead, causing the vehicle to skid off the road and overturning several times,†said Sorowen.
He added that the pedestrians were drunk. But residents suspected they could have been robbers.
“One of the men, only identified as Sserunjogi, was arrested and taken to Buwama Police Station but was found still drunk while his colleagues are on the run.â€
On Valentine’s Day, Kirunda and his wife would drive through the streets of Masaka and Kampala.
He always wore a necktie and a suit and was once voted the smartest driver in Masaka. Nansamba also drives a taxi plying the Masaka-Mutukula road.