Opposition leader survives accident
THE Leader of the Opposition, Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo, survived a motor accident in which two people died yesterday.
BY VISION REPORTERS
THE Leader of the Opposition, Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo, survived a motor accident in which two people died yesterday.
Latigo, who is also Agago County (Pader) MP was critically injured in the crash on the Kampala-Gulu road.
He sustained a deep wound on the head. He was transferred to Gulu Independent Hospital yesterday for further treatment, from a clinic in Bweyale.
His driver Sam Tabu Onyenya and a woman identified as Innocent Awor, died on the spot. Awor’s mother, Lillian Akwir, is a soldier at Bombo army barracks.
Latigo was heading to his constituency in his official vehicle, a Nissan Patrol UG 00779H, when the accident occurred.
He was scheduled to join the Acholi paramount chief, Rwot David Onen Acana II,, at a function in his constituency.
Latigo’s vehicle collided head-on with a Mewa bus heading to Kampala at 3:00am at Nyakadoti village at Bweyale, Masindi district.
After the collision, an eye-witness said, the bus skidded for about 50 metres before overturning. The impact left Ogenga’s vehicle facing the direction it was coming from.
“We heard a bang and soon after, there were wails and we rushed to the scene,†Nuel Ato said.
The MP’s car was mangled and rescuers had to cut through the wreckage with axes to free Latigo and the two bodies.
Speaking from his hospital bed in Gulu, he said his condition was “generally stable, save for the severe pain in the chest, fractured right hand and the head cut.
Latigo, who admitted he routinely travels at night given his busy schedule, could not recollect how the accident occurred. “I only woke up, being stitched in a local clinic in Bweyale.â€
Preferring not to say much about Awor, Latigo only identified her as his constituent.
“Given that I have not yet talked to her relatives, it is unfair of me to say much about her.â€
Asked about the cause of the accident, Latigo ruled out foul play.
Dr. Joseph Mukasa of Gulu Independent Hospital said: “Latigo is stable and out of danger. He is basically here for bedrest, and may leave the hospital soon.â€
In a statement yesterday, information minister Kabakumba Masiko, said: “Doctors have assured us that Prof. Latigo is out of danger and recommended a bedrest for him. The Government wishes him quick recovery.â€
Mid-western Police commander Macelino Wanitho said they were yet to establish the cause of the accident. “All we know is that the vehicles collided, two people died and the bus overturned,†Wanitho explained.
He added that there were no causalities in the bus.
A police officer at the scene, Doreen Aciro, said the two bodies had been transferred to the nearby Kiryandongo hospital.
The bus conductor, Patrick Akera, said it was drizzling and the lights of Latigo’s vehicle were deem.
The Parliament’s public relations officer, Hellen Kaweesa, said the Government was taking over Latigo’s treatment.
“As Parliament, we are saddened by the accident. Our sincere condolences go to the families of those who died,†Kaweesa said.
She added that due to the emergency operation done on Latigo at Gulu Independent Hospital, he will not be immediately transferred to Kampala for further treatment.
In 2007, Latigo was involved in another scary incident when military personnel escorting Bank of Uganda bullion vans shot at him in Luweero as his driver tried to overtake the convoy.
The 2007 incident occurred at 1:45am as Latigo was rushing to Kampala to catch up with the day’s parliamentary session.
Reporting by Justin Moro, Anthony Olwoch, Pascal Kwesiga, Conan Businge, Steven Candia and Patrick Ogwang
THE Leader of the Opposition, Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo, survived a motor accident in which two people died yesterday.
Latigo, who is also Agago County (Pader) MP was critically injured in the crash on the Kampala-Gulu road.
He sustained a deep wound on the head. He was transferred to Gulu Independent Hospital yesterday for further treatment, from a clinic in Bweyale.
His driver Sam Tabu Onyenya and a woman identified as Innocent Awor, died on the spot. Awor’s mother, Lillian Akwir, is a soldier at Bombo army barracks.
Latigo was heading to his constituency in his official vehicle, a Nissan Patrol UG 00779H, when the accident occurred.
He was scheduled to join the Acholi paramount chief, Rwot David Onen Acana II,, at a function in his constituency.
Latigo’s vehicle collided head-on with a Mewa bus heading to Kampala at 3:00am at Nyakadoti village at Bweyale, Masindi district.
After the collision, an eye-witness said, the bus skidded for about 50 metres before overturning. The impact left Ogenga’s vehicle facing the direction it was coming from.
“We heard a bang and soon after, there were wails and we rushed to the scene,†Nuel Ato said.
The MP’s car was mangled and rescuers had to cut through the wreckage with axes to free Latigo and the two bodies.
Speaking from his hospital bed in Gulu, he said his condition was “generally stable, save for the severe pain in the chest, fractured right hand and the head cut.
Latigo, who admitted he routinely travels at night given his busy schedule, could not recollect how the accident occurred. “I only woke up, being stitched in a local clinic in Bweyale.â€
Preferring not to say much about Awor, Latigo only identified her as his constituent.
“Given that I have not yet talked to her relatives, it is unfair of me to say much about her.â€
Asked about the cause of the accident, Latigo ruled out foul play.
Dr. Joseph Mukasa of Gulu Independent Hospital said: “Latigo is stable and out of danger. He is basically here for bedrest, and may leave the hospital soon.â€
In a statement yesterday, information minister Kabakumba Masiko, said: “Doctors have assured us that Prof. Latigo is out of danger and recommended a bedrest for him. The Government wishes him quick recovery.â€
Mid-western Police commander Macelino Wanitho said they were yet to establish the cause of the accident. “All we know is that the vehicles collided, two people died and the bus overturned,†Wanitho explained.
He added that there were no causalities in the bus.
A police officer at the scene, Doreen Aciro, said the two bodies had been transferred to the nearby Kiryandongo hospital.
The bus conductor, Patrick Akera, said it was drizzling and the lights of Latigo’s vehicle were deem.
The Parliament’s public relations officer, Hellen Kaweesa, said the Government was taking over Latigo’s treatment.
“As Parliament, we are saddened by the accident. Our sincere condolences go to the families of those who died,†Kaweesa said.
She added that due to the emergency operation done on Latigo at Gulu Independent Hospital, he will not be immediately transferred to Kampala for further treatment.
In 2007, Latigo was involved in another scary incident when military personnel escorting Bank of Uganda bullion vans shot at him in Luweero as his driver tried to overtake the convoy.
The 2007 incident occurred at 1:45am as Latigo was rushing to Kampala to catch up with the day’s parliamentary session.
Reporting by Justin Moro, Anthony Olwoch, Pascal Kwesiga, Conan Businge, Steven Candia and Patrick Ogwang