18 dead, over 50 injured in Jinja road accident

By Donald Kiirya, Jackie Nambogga and Charles Okalebo in Jinja

At least eighteen people were killed on Sunday in Jinja, a district in Eastern Uganda and 50 others were injured when their truck rolled several times.

The Isuzu Forward vehicle registration number UAD 961Z over turned at Iziru trading center in Buyengo Sub County after the driver failed to negotiate a bend.

According to the Jinja district traffic police chief, Dickson Rugundana, the truck was ferrying traders to a market in Buyengo.

Rugundana confirmed 18 people died on the spot and over other 50 victims were rushed to various hospitals for treatment.

“Eighteen people have died and the injured have been rushed to hospital,” Rugundana told the media after the 6:00pm accident.

“The accident was most likely caused by reckless driving. The driver only Identified as Waiswa who had overloaded the truck with passengers and merchandise, fled the scene with several injuries.”

He said police was yet to establish the exact number of people admitted to hospitals after they were rushed there by good Samaritans.

Sarah Nabirye, one of the victims who sustained a deep cut on the fore head said the truck over turned twice as the driver was driving at a terrific speed.

She said all the traders who deal in selling second hand clothes were from Buwenge going to Buyengo to attend to a weekend market.

Among the injured include: Farouk Bikumbi, Cissy Namukose, Richard Muleme, Asaadi Lukoola, Lwere Mukoda, Aminah Nakayima, Sarah Nabirye, Jamilah Nabitaka, Mwajuma Nabirye, Sophie Namudiba and Iduma Kigozi.

Others are Emma Maganda, Jannat Mukyala, Farouk Mbaya, Zainabu Babirye, Jacqueline Wandaba, Yusuf Ibanda, Irene Gonza, Saadi Wakabi, Awali Muteguya, Cissy Kantono, Henry Taligeda, Aggrey Bikumbi, Fazira Namulondo, Ibra Meregulwa, Hassan Lubalu, Paul Lugambwa, Mary Nangobi, and Nathan Kagoda.