Four die, 15 injured in Masaka Road accident
The wreckage of the taxi being removed from the accident scene. Photo by Sadat Mbogo
MPIGI- Four people have died and 15 injured in an accident at Kabira village, Kamengo, in Mpigi District on the Kampala-Masaka Highway.
Three children are those who were critically injured in the Sunday evening accident that involved a commuter taxi Reg. No. UAX 751M that was headed for Kyotera in Rakai District and a Mitsubishi Pajero Reg. No. UAQ 770S, that was coming from the opposite direction.
Police identified the dead as Michael Ssebunnya (a taxi driver), Robert Bwanika a resident of Nyendo in Masaka District, Maria Nankinga of Mukono, and unidentified youth who did not move with any identification document.
Those who were critically injured are Mr Arafat Muyingo (the Pajero driver), Ms Beatrice Nansamba a resident of Kinyerere in Masaka District, Mr Emmanuel Ssenyonyi of Bukunda – Kabuwoko, Ms Aisha Nakalema of Nyendo, mr Gerald Mukasa of Sseeta – Mukono, Ms Annet Nakasiita of Bisanje village, ms Jackline Namulindwa, Ms Jane Sarah of Nakaye – Gomba and Mr Kamya Ssewanyana of Kyotera, among others.
The survivors who escaped with broken legs and arms were taken to Mulago Referral Hospital.
Mr John Magambo, an eyewitness said: “The Pajero vehicle veered off its climbing lane and collided head-on. It’s as if the driver was sleeping.”
Mr Ahmed Kimera Sseguya, the Mpigi District commander attributed the accident to reckless driving and speeding.
“Our preliminary investigations show that all problems came after the recklessness of the Pajero driver and people should learn to follow road signs because if he had read the climbing lane signage, he wouldn’t have caused this accident,” he said.
Accidents on the Masaka-Kampala Road had reduced after increased traffic police patrols and deployment under the famous the Operation Fika Salaama.
