Four Kenyan pilgrims perish in Mayuge car crash
A police patrol truck being used to transport bodies of pilgrims who were knocked dead by a taxi in Mayuge District, and the injured to hospital. PHOTOS BY YAZID YOLISIGIRA
What you need to know:
- Police identified the victims as Joselyn Wanjala and Sarah Ajambo who died on spot, while Pelivin Malinde and Geofrey Ogaga were pronounced dead on arrival at Iganga Hospital.
- Mr Peter Asota, who led the pilgrims from Bungoma Diocese, said the driver intended to knock them.
MAYUGE-Four people have died while four others sustained injuries after a taxi lost control and rammed into a group of Kenyan pilgrims at Bugodi Village along the Iganga-Jinja highway on Sunday morning.
Police identified the victims as Joselyn Wanjala and Sarah Ajambo who died on spot, while Pelivin Malinde and Geofrey Ogaga were pronounced dead on arrival at Iganga Hospital.
The officer-in-charge of traffic at Magamaga Police Station, Ms Beatrice Apiny, said all the deceased were pilgrims from Bungoma North District in Kenya.
The group, comprising of about 100 pilgrims, is said to have started walking from Lakiri Catholic Parish in Bungoma Diocese on May 15.
Uganda martyrs pilgrims from Bungoma in Kenya gathered at the scene where four of their colleagues were knocked dead and several others left injured by a speeding taxi that rammed into them
"They were walking towards Jinja and on reaching Bugodi, the taxi which was coming from the opposite direction rammed into them, killing two on the spot. They were knocked from the road reserve,” Ms Apinyi said.
She added that after ramming into the pilgrims, the car crossed the road and stopped in a nearby banana plantation.
Among those seeking treatment at Iganga Hospital are John Okoth, Joseph Lusenyu, Kelvin Akira and Gladesi Eduti.
Ms Apinyi attributed the accident to recklessness by the taxi driver who is on the run.
“He was speeding yet it was still dark and raining,” Ms Apiny told reporters.
Mr Peter Asota, who led the pilgrims from Bungoma Diocese, said the driver intended to knock them.
"We were walking on the side of the road with two reflecting Kenyan flags hoisted up; he saw us because we were knocked from a road reserve,” said Mr Asota who was overcome by emotions.
Asked whether they would proceed to Namugongo, Mr Asota said that they will 'most definitely' reach the martyrs' shrine for June 3 prayers.
The taxi which rammed into the pilgrims
“The reason why we can’t stop here is because we need to fulfill the desire of our hearts like the Uganda martyrs did,” he said, adding that among other things they are going to pray for, is for East African countries to have peace.
“We are going to pray for peace in our country, in South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi,” he said.
By press time all four bodies were still lying at Iganga Hospital mortuary.
