At least 32 people have been confirmed dead and five others seriously injured after a grisly accident involving five vehicles along Fort Portal-Kasese highway in the western Ugandan district of Kasese on Tuesday night.
The 9pm accident occurred at Kihogo along Hima–Rugendabara road, according to eyewitness accounts. I occurred when a truck carrying a coffin and passengers going for a burial collided with a car along the section of the highway that is still under re-construction.
Tragically, drivers of other cars, unaware that there was an accident ahead, also lost control and rammed into the stationery accident vehicles.
Ms 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 added in a message released to journalists on Wednesday morning.
“There was a big truck with a coffin and people on top, while a lorry full of people followed closely behind. When the car with a coffin hit another car, the lorry behind it also rammed into it causing another accident,” said Mr Alex Aliganyira, an eye witness.
He added, in a short interval, two other vehicles came and also rammed into the wreckage of the first accident.
By press time, Rwenzori East regional traffic commander, Mr Mathius Okwir said detectives were investigating the actual cause of the accident and would provide details later.
Bodies of the victims and the injured have been taken to Kilembe Mines Hospital.
