Seminarian students perish in accident

By Fred Turyakira

THREE seminarian students from Katigondo Major Seminary and another person were confirmed dead and three others sustained injuries following an accident that occurred at Katovu in Lwengo district along Mbarara-Masaka road.

Noah Sserunjogi, the Greater Masaka region Police spokesperson, said the accident involved a Toyota Corona registration UAF 627P carrying passengers from Masaka which rammed into a stationery Isuzu Bus registration number UAM 897C at Katovu trading centre.

“The driver of the Toyota Corona from Masaka heading to Mbarara left his side and rammed into a stationery bus plying the Mbarara-Kampala route. Three died on the spot, one died on arrival to Lyantonde Hospital while three including the driver sustained serious injuries. They were rushed to Mbarara referral Hospital,” he explained.

The deceased students from Katigondo were identified as George Sunday 22, hailing from Kitamba, Kazo parish in Kiruhura district, Christon Atuyambe 26, from Kibonwa parish in Isingiro district, lnnocent Warugaba 23, from Butaare parish and Abdul Ssakalo from Mbirizi in Lwengo district.

The injured include, Godwin Atuhwere 30 the driver of the Corona and a resident from Nansana, a seven year old-girl and another adult.

Sserunjogi attributed the cause of the accident to reckless driving by the driver of the Toyota Corona.

He said Police was going to intensify operations with traffic gadgets on the roads to prevent more accidents caused by reckless driving.

The bodies of three students from Katigondo Religious Seminary were on Sunday prayed for at Mbarara diocese, Nyamitanga, Mbarara district amidst sobbing in a service led by the Mbarara Archdiocese, auxiliary bishop, the Rt. Rev.Lambert Bainomugisha.

Fr. Boneventure Turyomumaziima, the diocesan chancellor said the death robbed the life of the trust worthy seminarians who were ready and dedicated to serve God. 

“The church has lost future priests, Sunday and Warugaba were completing their 3rd year seminary course in May 2014 while Atuyambe was in his first semester,” He explained.

Gervase Ndyanabo, the head of Christians at Mbarara Archdiocese, said the death of three seminarians reflects other incidences where 93 students died in accident and a priest, Fr. Charles Mugisha died in an accidents heading for this year’s Uganda Martyrs celebrations at Namugongo.

He asked Christians to keep praying for the souls of the deceased to rest in peace and encouraged the relatives of the deceased to remain calm and strong in trying moments.

After the service, bodies were taken to their respective homes for burial on Monday.