Several people, including a six-month-old baby, were on Monday involved in a serious road accident along the Nwoya–Gulu highway involving two motorcycles and a lorry.
The victims, mainly women in their mid-twenties, were returning from President Museveni’s rally in Nwoya District when the crash occurred.
According to eyewitness accounts, a speeding lorry heading towards Gulu knocked one motorcycle, which in turn collided with another boda boda carrying the women, throwing all riders and passengers onto the tarmac.
The injured included Miriam Achan , 30, Ketty Shida, 28 , Filda Atto, 28, Ventorina Achan, 60 and a six month old baby, all residents of Koch Goma, along with other passengers including a baby. The victims sustained serious injuries and were left stranded on the roadside before help arrived.
Members of the Presidential Press Unit (PPU) and the Special Forces Command (SFC), who were returning from the same event, stopped at the scene and rushed the injured to Koch Goma Health Centre IV for first aid.
Major Jimmy Omara, the SFC spokesperson who led the rescue operation, said his team found the victims in severe pain with no other motorists stopping to help.
“We found the injured in serious pain with no vehicle stopping to give them a hand. We stopped, assessed the situation, and realized they needed immediate evacuation. We did evacuate them safely,” Maj. Omara said.
He added that the SFC team followed up on the patients the next day and confirmed that four of the five injured had been discharged.
“Only one, an elderly woman identified as Ventorina, remained under medical observation as her condition required a scan to determine the extent of her injuries. However, she was out of danger. We thank the commander SFC for all the support rendered to the victims,” Maj Omara said after extending shs100,000 to each victim in support.
He noted that the NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong is to help the eldely woman seek further medical attention.
Local authorities have since cautioned motorists to observe speed limits and exercise caution, particularly on the busy Nwoya–Gulu highway, which has recorded several accidents in recent months.
