Nearly 50 people were killed and several others were hurt when multiple vehicles collided along a highway in Uganda, according to authorities.
The Uganda Police Force said the deadly crash occurred on Wednesday at 12:15 a.m. on the Kampala–Gulu Highway at Kitaleba Village.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wish a quick recovery to the injured,” police said in a news release.
Police initially said 63 people died in the crash, but later revised the death toll to 46, noting that some people who were found unconscious at the scene were still alive.
At the time of the crash, several victims were found unconscious, and some may have been mistakenly included in the initial fatality count,” according to an updated statement shared on X.” We are working in close coordination with health and emergency services to ensure accurate and timely updates as the situation develops.
Authorities said the crash involved two buses, as well as a car and a truck.
“According to initial investigations, the driver of UBF 614X Isuzu bus, travelling from Kampala towards Gulu, attempted to overtake the Tata Lorry (UBK 647C) at the aforementioned location,” police said. “Simultaneously, the Isuzu bus (UAM 045V), travelling from the opposite direction, was also attempting to overtake the Toyota Surf (CGO 5132AB 07). In the process, both buses met head-on during the overtaking manoeuvres.”
Police said while one of the drivers swerved to try to avoid the crash, it caused a head-on collision, as well as a chain reaction, with two other vehicles losing control and overturning several times.
Police said people who were hurt were taken to Kiryandongo Hospital and other nearby medical facilities, adding that those who were killed have not been identified.
The death toll is uncommonly high, said Irene Nakasiita, a Red Cross spokeswoman. She said many images from the scene were too gruesome to share.
The magnitude of this incident is so big,” Nakasiita said.
In Uganda, 5,144 people were killed in road crashes in 2024. That number rose from 4,806 in 2023 and 4,534 in 2022, according to official police figures, which show a rise in the total number of those killed or hurt in road crashes in recent years.
Careless overtaking and speeding accounted for 44.5% of all crashes documented in 2024, the police’s latest crime report said.
As investigations continue, we strongly urge all motorists to exercise maximum caution on the roads, especially avoiding dangerous and careless overtaking, which remains one of the leading causes of crashes in the country,” authorities said.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this crash.
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