Ten people perish in Ntungamo accident
Jul 09, 2016
Nine people died on spot while one woman died on the way to hospital. Eight of the dead are females and the two are male.
The motor vehicle, registration number UAV 418V, which rammed into the onion sellers at Rwahi trading centre killing 10 people. Photos/ Rwambuka Mugisha
Ten people including a three- month old baby were confirmed dead after a speeding lorry veered off the road and rammed into a roadside onion market at Rwahi trading centre, which is located 45 kilometers along Ntungamo-Kabale road on Friday.
The Ntungamo district OC Traffic, Emilio Kazimotto and Joseph Akiza, the OC Traffic and Road Safety at Rubaare Police Station, said a Fuso truck which was descending the Rwahi hill from Kabale side lost control and rammed into the market near Rwahi police post.
Nine people died on spot while one woman died on the way to hospital. Eight of the dead are females and the two are male.
Kazimotto identified the dead as Fabius Tumuhimbise (48), Napoleon Akankwasa (30), Muheirwe Night Mutungi(41), Ronah Niwandinda (24) and her 3 months old baby girl, Kellen Akullo (50) from Lira municipality in Lango district, Mugarura Muhabwe (38), Tumuhise Phoebe (46) of Kayonza Ntungamo, Peace Mugarura, Sam Ariho and Peace Nyanjura.
Four other victims of the accident were rushed to a nearby Kabale referral hospital while in critical conditions.
A breakdown truck trying to remove the Fuso truck
Kazimotto said the driver of the truck, Evalisto Muhangi , 25, was held and is to face charges of reckless driving, speeding and driving a motor vehicle in dangerous mechanical condition (DCM).
The accident is the second in six months after a bus rammed into the same market on January 8 this year, killing eight people.
Another truck rammed into the same market in September 2015 killing seven people on the spot.
Traffic police officers from Ntungamo and Rubare police stations at the scene of accident
Kazimotto said the onion traders have been frequently asked by the Police, local authorities and UNRA, to vacate the road reserve where they operate from, but have remained adamant. He advised the vendors to heed to the advice to avoid further possible accidents.
John Twesigye, an eyewitness and accident survivor said the vehicle was speeding before entering the market. Police said investigations are continuing.
Over 50 people have been killed in a number of motor accidents along various highways during the past one week. Along Kampala - Masaka highway alone, accidents have claimed close to 30 people.