At least 46 people were killed on a highway connecting Kampala and Gulu when two long-distance buses attempted to overtake other vehicles simultaneously, leading to a head-on collision and chain reaction involving a truck and an SUV.
At least 46 people died Tuesday in a devastating highway crash in Uganda involving two long-distance buses, a truck, and a sport utility vehicle.
The collision occurred on the route linking the capital, Kampala, with the northern city of Gulu. According to the Uganda Police Force, the crash was caused when both buses attempted to overtake other vehicles at the same time, resulting in a head-on collision and a chain reaction that overturned several vehicles. The initial death toll of 63 was revised down to 46 after responders found some passengers initially presumed dead were unconscious.
Rescue teams transported survivors to nearby hospitals, though police did not specify the number of injured.
A candidate campaigning nearby for January’s general election expressed condolences to the victims, stating, “This tragic loss of life is deeply saddening.”
Road accidents are frequent in Uganda, often attributed to reckless driving and poor road conditions. A police report noted that more than 5,000 people died in traffic crashes nationwide in 2024.