Oyam, Uganda – More than five livestock traders suffered devastating losses after a parked truck rolled and overturned at Kamdini Town Council, Oyam District, on 15th February 2025 Saturday afternoon, killing over 35 goats and six cattle.
The traders were transporting the animals from Akwon Market in Kwania District to Arua when they stopped at Hotel One in Kamdini for lunch at around 2:00 PM.
Their truck, a Fuso with registration number UBB 717Y, was left unattended in the parking lot. Moments later, it unexpectedly rolled forward, plunging into a roadside drainage channel before overturning.
Eyewitnesses at the scene suspect that the driver failed to engage the handbrake, leaving the vehicle in neutral gear.
The driver, whose identity was not immediately confirmed, fled the scene, fearing for his safety as traders and onlookers gathered in distress.
According to Amos Ebong, a tailor whose workshop is located opposite Hotel One, saw the truck begin to move slowly before gaining speed and toppling over.
“I saw the truck rolling forward. Within seconds, it had plunged into the drainage. The traders had just entered the hotel for lunch when it happened,” he said.
One of the affected traders, Mr. Jaspher Obura, a resident of Cawente Sub-County, Kwania District, expressed deep hunger after losing seven goats worth UGX 800,000 and two cattle valued at UGX 3,000,000.
“This loss is too much for me. I have worked for years to build my business, and now everything is gone in an instant,” he lamented.
Obura estimated that the total losses among all traders exceeded UGX 15 million, a significant setback for their businesses.
By the time of reporting, traffic police from Kamdini Police Station had arrived at the scene to investigate the cause of the accident.
Authorities are working to establish the whereabouts of the truck driver and assess possible charges related to negligence.
This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper vehicle parking safety, especially for heavy-duty trucks carrying valuable cargo.
A full report from police investigators is expected soon…
