The number of people who died in a road accident along the Kakumiro–Kibaale Road has risen from five to seven following the death of two more victims.
The accident occurred at about 1:00 a.m. in Kijanja Kyakinaka Cell, Kihumuro Parish, Bwanswa Sub-county in Kakumiro District.
According to ASP Doreen Namanya, the Officer in Charge of Traffic in Kakumiro District, the crash involved an Isuzu vehicle registration number UAV 427D that was transporting cassava and carrying passengers seated on top of the cargo from Kakumiro to Kibaale.
ASP Namanya said preliminary investigations indicate that the driver was over-speeding and failed to negotiate a sharp corner known locally as “Tonkora Muriso,” causing the vehicle to overturn.
She said five people died instantly and their bodies were taken to Kakumiro Health Centre IV mortuary, while six injured victims were rushed to the same facility. However, two later died, bringing the total number of fatalities to seven.
ASP Namanya warned drivers against over-speeding and overloading vehicles, especially carrying passengers on top of goods, saying such behavior endangers lives.
She added that police are still hunting for the driver, who fled the scene after the accident.
Eyewitnesses blamed the crash on reckless driving, saying the driver was speeding before losing control at the sharp corner, which they described as a black spot that has claimed many lives over the years.
By press time, the bodies of the deceased remained at Kakumiro Health Centre IV mortuary awaiting identification, while four survivors were receiving treatment at the same facility. The accident vehicle has since been impounded at Kakumiro Central Police Station as investigations continue.
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
