KIRYANDONGO — One person has died and four others sustained injuries following a road crash along the Kampala-Gulu Highway in Kiryandongo District.
The crash occurred at about 6:15am on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Latworo and involved a Toyota Hiace van, registration number UBP 015X, and a Fuso truck, registration number UA 350DF.
According to Michael Kananura, spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety at the Uganda Police Force, preliminary investigations indicate that the Fuso truck developed a sudden tyre burst.
Kananura said the truck driver signalled and attempted to pull over to a safe spot, but the Hiace van, which was travelling behind it, crashed into the rear of the truck.
“As the truck driver signalled and attempted to pull over to a safe spot, the trailing Hiace rammed into the rear of the truck,” Kananura said.
The four injured passengers were rushed to Lacor Hospital for medical treatment, while the body of the deceased was taken to Kiryandongo Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Police said investigations into the exact circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing.
Kananura warned that mechanical defects, including tyre bursts and faulty steering systems, remain a major road safety concern, alongside speeding, reckless driving and dangerous overtaking.
The crash comes amid growing concern over road accidents across Uganda, with several fatal crashes reported in recent months.
In response to the rising number of crashes, the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety has intensified enforcement operations targeting vehicles considered unfit for use.
Kananura said more than 178 public service vehicles had been impounded in the Kampala Metropolitan Area for being in a dangerous mechanical condition.
The impounded vehicles reportedly had defects including faulty brakes, worn-out tyres and compromised structural components.
Traffic statistics released earlier this year also highlighted the scale of the road safety challenge in Uganda.
According to Lawrence Niwabiine, Director of Traffic and Road Safety at the Uganda Police Force, 26,044 road traffic crashes were reported across the country in 2025, compared with 25,107 crashes in 2024, representing a 3.7 percent increase.
Of the crashes recorded in 2025, 4,602 were fatal, while 13,563 were classified as serious and 7,879 as minor.
Police continue to urge motorists to ensure their vehicles are in good mechanical condition and to exercise caution while using the country’s highways.
