KAMPALA — At least nine people have perished in an accident that occurred Saturday evening at Kawoko-Kanoni on the Masaka-Bukomansimbi highway.
The accident reportedly occurred when one of the tyres of a FUSO truck from Nyendo, Masaka, that was carrying scores of traders to Bukomansimbi burst, and the driver lost control of the vehicle.
“The truck was ferrying over 40 traders from Nyendo to Bukomansimbi. A total of six people died on the spot while three succumbed to their injuries on the way to hospital,” Hassan Wasswa, one of the witness at the scene of the accident said.
He said the driver of the ill-fated vehicle escaped and was on the run.
However, ASP Faridah Nampiima, the spokesperson for Traffic Police, confirmed only the six casualties and could not readily establish the fate of those evacuated to hospital.
Nampiima said the accident involved motor a Fuso truck UAS 226U.
Most of the injured have been rushed to Masaka Regional Hospital in critical condition. Others were evacuated to Villa Maria hospital in Kalungu district.
Nampiima said investigations were underway to establish the cause of the accident.
There has been an increase in the number of road accidents on Ugandan roads in the recent past. Less than a fortnight ago, Over 20 people died when a LINK Bus overturned at Sebitoli, two kilometers from Fort Portal City.
