10 dead, 12 injured in Jinja-Iganga road accident

Police officers inspect the wreckage of the accident vehicles parked at Maga Maga Police Station in Mayuge District on February 25, 2019. PHOTOS BY YAZID YOLISIGIRA

What you need to know:

  • The acting East Busoga Regional Traffic Officer, Rogers Nandege said preliminary investigations indicated that the vehicles were speeding. However, he added that investigations into the matter are underway.

Ten people have been confirmed dead and 12 others injured in a motor accident that occurred at Wandago trading centre along the Jinja - Iganga highway last night.

The accident occurred at around 12.30am when a Iganga-bound coaster registration number UAT 672Q collided with another coaster registration number UAM 775 L which was driving from Mbale. It is reported that Iganga bound coaster was carrying worshippers from a service at Pastor Samuel Kakande's Synagogue Church of All Nations in Kampala.

One of the survivors identified as Joshua Musenze said the coaster from Kampala was speeding. He further noted that the passengers, all residents of Iganga had earlier cautioned the driver against over speeding but he was rushing for a return journey to Kampala.

A man stands near the wreckage of the accident vehicles parked at Maga Maga Police Station in Mayuge District on February 25, 2019. PHOTOS BY YAZID YOLISIGIRA

Rashid Balabweyo, a relative to one of the deceased persons said her sister left home at around 6am together with her three children, to attend prayers at pastor Kakande's Church in Kampala. The children survived the accident with minor injuries.

Some of the deceased were identified as Naikanga Kaisuka, 34, Godfrey Tigawalana, 27, Jessica Naigaga, 50, Evelyn Asiyo 45, Sulaina Namugabo 56, Muzafaru Ikoba 39, Sylivia Nakirija,50, Peter Bukisuba 2, Tony Buyinza 5 years all residents of Busei B village Nakalama Sub County Iganga District.

Some of the injured were identified as Hadija Nabulumba 5, Abdulrazak Nyonjo 7, and Hassan Kato all children to the deceased Evelyn Asiyo. The injured were taken to Jinja and Iganga hospitals with broken legs, limbs and multiple wounds on their bodies.

The body of one of the victims, Jessica Nabirye being transported on a truck by her relatives for burial

Nyonjo, who was dressed in a blood stained grey suit told URN that he first heard a bang and later heard people calling for help.

The acting East Busoga Regional Traffic Officer, Rogers Nandege said preliminary investigations indicated that the vehicles were speeding. However, he added that investigations into the matter are underway.

Relatives of both the deceased and the injured are still gathering at Iganga Hospital to identify their relatives. The wreckage of the two vehicles was by press time towed to Musita police post.