Four dead as Toro cement truck fell into broken bridge

Mar 14, 2018

Elgon region Police spokesperson Sowedi Mansur said the bridge that the truck rammed into had developed a crack over 10 years ago, posing safety risks.

ACCIDENT

MBALE - Four people have been confirmed dead and two others admitted at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in critical condition after Tororo cement truck fell over a broken bridge that Joins Karamoja to Bugisu and Sebei sub-region.

Truck registration number UAR087C belonging to Tororo Cement Factory, which was transporting merchandise from Mbale heading to Amudat district, rammed into the damaged Bunambutye Bridge at about 10:00pm, killing four people instantly.

The Police has identified the dead as Daniel Lodomei, while others were only identified as Lodowa, Nakar and Lokaria all from Loroor sub-county in Amudat district.

The two, who sustained injuries, were identified as Rogers Buburo and Abas Wandwasi from Mbale.

Elgon region Police spokesperson Sowedi Mansur said the bridge that the truck rammed into had developed a crack over 10 years ago, posing safety risks.

"Marble Trucks and other motorists have been using this risky bridge, but this time round the driver did not make a calculated move and fll under the bridge," Sowedi said.

Sowedi noted that business has been paralysed and motorists have been advised to use alternative routes from Mbale through Soroti to Karamoja.

Eye witnesses who talked to the New Vision noted at one time residents demonstrated over the state of the bridge, but were teargased on orders of Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA).

According to John Walimbwa, a resident of the area, this was not the first time for cars, pedestrians or animals to fall into the bridge, adding that they were planning massive demonstration to express their concern over the bridge that has put their lives at risk.

"We shall not continue seeing people losing their lives and when UNRA officials are invited to see the state of the bridge, they make measurements and disappear until another accident occurs," he said.

Moses Makwasi, a businessman said it was going to be expensive for them to transport their goods using the Soroti-Moroto route, adding that prices of fuels had gone up, worsening the situation.

"The Muyembe-Bunambutye-Nakapiripit route is the shortest to Karamoja from Mbale. We pray that UNRA responds quickly because transport is going to become challenge for motorists heading to Karamoja sub-region," Makwasi said.

The efforts to reach officials from UNRA were futile as the known numbers to some concerned officers went unanswered while others could not go through.




 


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