15 dead, several injured in Kisoro accident

Jul 31, 2018

So far 19 people have died; 16 died on the spot while three died at Kisoro Hospital where they had been rushed. The lorry was carrying 37 people.

PIC: Relatives gather to rescue the injured and also take the dead for burial. (Credit: Job Namanya)
 
 
FATAL ACCIDENT
 
KISORO- At least 15 people are reported to have perished in an accident at Kanaba along Kabale-Kisoro road in Kisoro district.


The accident happened at around 10:00am at Kagano in Kanaba sub-county Kisoro district when the driver identified as Bikwase of a lorry Isuzu Elf long Registration Number UAW 739M, that was carrying traders, crates of soda and beer, scrap and Irish potatoes among other things, failed to negotiate a corner and hit the guardrails on the road, which led the passengers to fall off as they were reported to have been sitting on top of their merchandise which they were taking to Kisoro market. The market happens on Mondays and Thursdays every week.

 So far 19 people have died; 16 died on the spot while three died at Kisoro Hospital where they had been rushed. The lorry was carrying 37 people.

The dead are believed to be residents of Kaara in Muko sub-county, Rubanda district.

One of the survivors identified as Deus Tumuranze, says the driver of the lorry was driving at a high speed and he was driving while drinking alcohol. The lorry was overloaded with merchandise and traders. 

 John Baptist Twinomugisha, an ambulance attendant for Kisoro Hospital is one of the people who were working with Police to transport the injured to Kisoro Hospital and the nearby health facilities.

Charles Okoto, the Kisoro DPC, confirms the incident and blames the accident on reckless driving by the driver of the lorry, over loading as well as driving under the influence of alcohol because at the time he was driving he was also drinking.

Okoto says Police has commenced investigations into the accident.  

 

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