At least 19 people have been confirmed dead and thirteen others injured following a devastating road crash that occurred late Tuesday night along the Hoima–Bulisa Road.
According to police, the fatal incident took place at around 11:00 PM on August 5, 2025, at Kigorobya and involved a Fuso Fighter truck, registration number UBB 639W, which was transporting market vendors from Wanseko-Buliisa Market.
The truck reportedly failed to ascend a slope in Kigorobya and rolled backward before overturning, killing 19 people on the spot.
Thirteen others sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical and were rushed to nearby health facilities for urgent treatment.
“The injured victims have been rushed to various health facilities for urgent medical attention. The bodies of the deceased have been conveyed to Hoima City Mortuary for postmortem examinations,” said SP Michael Kananura, the Public Relations Officer for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety.
Police have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash, although preliminary findings point to possible mechanical failure and dangerous transport practices.
SP Kananura expressed condolences to the affected families and called for immediate action from truck drivers and transporters to prevent similar tragedies.
“We strongly urge all truck drivers and transporters to refrain from carrying passengers on top or in the back of trucks. They are not designed for human transportation,” he said.
He also emphasized the need for routine vehicle inspections, warning that failure to maintain trucks can lead to deadly consequences.
“Drivers must ensure regular maintenance and mechanical checks of their vehicles to prevent avoidable mechanical failures,” SP Kananura added. “We also advise extra caution when navigating hilly or hazardous road sections.”
This latest incident adds to a growing list of tragic road crashes involving overloaded trucks, especially in rural markets and transport corridors, where enforcement of safety guidelines remains weak.
Police say investigations are ongoing to determine whether the driver will face charges or if additional factors, such as overloading or brake failure, contributed to the deadly crash.
