Ntungamo, Uganda | Three people have died, and six others sustained serious injuries in a fatal road crash that occurred Thursday afternoon along the Ntungamo-Mbarara highway, a known accident-prone stretch in western Uganda.
The collision, which happened at around 3:30 PM at Rucece trading centre, involved two vehicles: a Fuso Fighter truck (registration number UBF 727S), a Toyota Wish (UBL 839Q), and a motorcycle (UFF 926Q).
According to preliminary findings from the Uganda Police, the Fuso truck and the motorcycle were both travelling from Ntungamo towards Mbarara.
While attempting to overtake the motorcycle, the Fuso truck knocked it, causing the driver to lose control.
The truck overturned and veered into the opposite lane, crashing head-on into the oncoming Toyota Wish.
Three occupants of the Fuso Fighter truck died on the spot.
Their identities are yet to be released, pending formal notification of their families.
The six injured include:
● The driver of the Fuso truck
● Three occupants of the Toyota Wish
● The motorcycle rider and a passenger
They were all rushed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to the hospital’s mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
Traffic police have launched an investigation into the incident to establish full details and circumstances leading to the crash.
In a statement issued after the incident, the Uganda Police Force urged all road users to observe speed limits, avoid reckless overtaking, and exercise caution.
The police stressed that the tragic loss of life was avoidable and reiterated that road safety is a collective duty shared by all motorists.
The Ntungamo-Mbarara road is a major highway connecting southwestern Uganda to the rest of the country.
It has recorded several accidents in recent years due to high traffic volumes, speeding, and risky overtaking practices.
The Ntungamo-Mbarara highway remains one of the most hazardous roads in western Uganda, with frequent crashes attributed to driver indiscipline, poor overtaking judgment, and excessive speeding.
In light of Friday’s incident, traffic authorities have pledged to increase highway patrols, install more warning signage, and conduct targeted road safety campaigns aimed at reducing fatalities along this critical transport corridor.