Seven cattle traders die in Mbale accident
Caskets containing the bodies of the accident victims being loaded on a tipper lorry at Soroti hospital mortuary for transportation to their ancestral homes in Ngora. PHOTO GEORGE MURON
Seven cattle traders have died while 17 others sustained serious injuries after a Fuso lorry they were travelling in overturned.
The accident occurred at Opuyo parish, Gweri sub county, along Soroti -Mbale road as they were heading to Otuboi cattle market in Kaberamaido district.
The regional police spokesperson East Kyoga Mr Michael Odongo said the Fuso Lorry UAQ 033T collided with a speeding vehicle UAS 395F which was coming from the opposite direction, as it tried to dodge another stationary Fuso lorry.
"Three people died on the spot and four others died at Soroti regional referral hospital where they were taken for treatment," he said.
Mr Odongo said the traders were taking cattle for sale from Ngora district to Otuboi cattle market in Kaberamaido.
He identified the deceased, John Opio 57, Boniface Apetu 71, James Omoit 50, Vincent Osingia 32, Stephen Opio 30, John Okuda 60, Juventine Ebulet 59 all residents of Koloin and Mukura Sub Counties in Ngora district.
Mr Odongo said the first three bodies of persons who perished were rushed to Soroti municipal mortuary while the other four who died in Soroti hospital are in Soroti regional referral hospital.
He also identified those undergoing treatment as, Didimos Omojong, Emmanuel Olupot, John Dumira Bogolas, Ibongil Iboliat and Tito Otim.
Others are; Joseph Ocela, James Otai, Emmanuel Benya, Michael Echodu, Geoffrey Oluka, Emma Okiria among others.
The east Kyoga police spokesperson, added that 8 animals out of the 25 cows also died on the spot.
"The possibility of speeding could have trigged the accident," Mr Odongo explained.
