What was meant to be a joyful outing turned into a day of sorrow when a road accident claimed one life and left six others injured on Sunday, May 25, 2025, along the Bunjako–Buwama road in Mpigi District.
The crash occurred at Lwafumu Forest at around 5:45 PM and involved a Toyota Drone, registration number UBM 672G.
The vehicle, reportedly owned by an undisclosed tours and travel company, was transporting a group of TikTokers who were heading to a party at Bunjako Beach in Buwama.
But the excitement of the day was cut short by tragedy, after what authorities describe as reckless driving led to the vehicle overturning.
The driver of the Drone fled the scene immediately after the crash and remains on the run.
According to Traffic Police spokesperson SP Michael Kananura, preliminary findings point to excessive speed and unsafe transport practices.
“The vehicle reportedly lost control, hit a pavement & overturned—killing 1 passenger instantly & injuring 06 others,” SP Kananura shared in an update posted to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.
More details from police indicate that UBM 672G had earlier been flagged down by traffic officers at Lungala in Mpigi. It was among four vehicles stopped that day alongside UBG 649K, UBM 631E, and UAR 351Z—for violating multiple traffic regulations.
These violations included operating without a proper licence, carrying passengers in unsafe positions, reckless driving, and having obscured number plates.
While the drivers of the other three vehicles were detained at Mpigi Police Station, the driver of UBM 672G defied orders and proceeded in violation of the law.
“We strongly urge all motorists to comply with the directives by police officers, especially when stopped or directed in any way,” SP Kananura warned. “What may appear to be an inconvenience could in fact be a critical, life-saving intervention.”
As holiday travel surges, the Traffic Police are doubling down on warnings to drivers and vehicle operators who continue to endanger passengers by using illegal and unsafe means of transportation.
“We are aware of the season, but public safety must not be compromised,” Kananura stressed. He urged all road users to act responsibly and protect lives both theirs and those of others.
Meanwhile, the hunt for the fleeing driver continues as police intensify efforts to track him down and bring him to justice.
The Buwama crash is the latest in a series of fatal road accidents that have shaken the country in recent months, renewing calls for stricter enforcement and more responsible road use.
