One person has died and another was critically injured after a charcoal-loaded Mitsubishi Fuso truck overturned at a roundabout in Rukungiri District and struck several stationary boda boda motorcycles and a pedestrian.
The crash occurred on the Rukungiri-Ntungamo Road at about 9:20 a.m. on September 26.
The accident happened in Kifunjo Cell, Eastern Division, Rukungiri Municipality. Police said the truck, registration number UBD 849Z, was driven by Amos Katunguka and was travelling from Bikurungu towards Ntungamo when the driver allegedly lost control while approaching the roundabout.
Kigezi Regional Police spokesperson Nelson Tumushime said the truck skidded, overturned several times and rammed into six stationary boda boda motorcycles and a female pedestrian. The motorcycles identified in the police account included UFE 382A, UGE 080B, UGA 060D, UEY 590D and UEE 519K.
The crash claimed the life of Fortunate Byekola, 30, who was an employee of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited at the Rukungiri branch. An unidentified male adult boda boda rider was injured and admitted to Nyakibale Hospital in critical condition.
Preliminary investigations by traffic police indicated that the driver may have been driving recklessly. Police investigations are continuing to establish the exact circumstances that led to the loss of control and the subsequent collision. The vehicle’s load, speed, road conditions and driver behaviour may all be relevant to the investigation.
Road crashes remain a major concern for communities across Uganda, where pedestrians, boda boda riders, commercial vehicles and private motorists share busy roads.
Roundabouts can be particularly dangerous when vehicles approach at excessive speeds or drivers lose control. Stationary motorcycles and pedestrians near road junctions can also be vulnerable when a vehicle leaves its lane.
Police have urged motorists to exercise caution, obey traffic regulations and observe the Highway Code. The advice is especially relevant on roads carrying heavy vehicles, where loss of control can cause severe consequences because of the weight and momentum involved.
For families and communities affected by the crash, the incident is a reminder of the human cost of road accidents. The death of a 30-year-old worker also affects colleagues, relatives and dependants, while the critically injured rider faces medical treatment and recovery.
Authorities and road users have a shared interest in reducing preventable crashes. Drivers need to maintain safe speeds, keep vehicles under control and follow traffic rules, while road users near junctions should remain alert. Enforcement and road-safety education also play roles in reducing dangerous behaviour.
As investigations continue, police are expected to establish the circumstances of the crash and determine whether any offences were committed. Meanwhile, motorists using the Rukungiri-Ntungamo Road are being urged to exercise extra caution, particularly around the Rukungiri roundabout where the fatal crash occurred.