KAMPALA, Feb 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 32 people were confirmed dead and five others seriously injured after a grisly accident involving five vehicles along Fort Portal-Kasese highway on Tuesday night.
The 9pm accident occurred at Kihogo along Hima–Rugendabara road, according to eye witness accounts. The section of the highway is still under re-construction.
Irene Nakasita, the Uganda Red Cross Society Public Relations Officer, said 32 bodies were recovered and five survivors referred to Kilembe Hospital in Kasese District in western Uganda.
“Our emergency response team working with Uganda Police and UPDF led by Major Charles Nzei has managed the incident,” she addded in a message released to journalists on Wednesday morning.
Nakasiita said that the accident happened when a truck carrying passengers going for burial collided with a car.
“The road is narrow, it is under construction, and it was dark. The other two lorries were coming from Kasese and joined the two that were already in the accident. Another from Bundibugyo joined the four. It made five cars around the scene injuring five people and … killing 32,” she said.
“The 32 bodies have all been taken to Kilembe Hospital and the five survivors have been equally evacuated,” she added.
Bodies of the victims and the injured have been taken to Kilembe Mines Hospital.
Rwenzori East regional traffic commander, Mathius Okwir said detectives were investigating the actual cause of the accident and would provide details later.
James Muranga, the Kihogo village chairperson local council said the truck was transporting mourners from Bundibugyo en route to Maliba sub-county for burial when the accident happened.
According to police statistics, some 20,000 road accidents occur nationwide each year, causing more than 2,000 deaths and thus making Uganda among the countries with the highest traffic fatality rates.
