Tragedy struck in Mayuge District on Sunday evening when a truck transporting mourners from a burial lost control and overturned, leaving eight people dead and more than ten others critically injured.
The crash occurred at Ntinda village in Buwaaya Sub-county, along the Mayuge–Magamaga road.
The truck, a Tata registration number UAA 951V, was carrying over 40 passengers who were returning from a burial in Katonte village, Magamaga Town Council.
According to residents, the vehicle appeared both overloaded and mechanically unfit.
Before the accident, the original driver reportedly handed over the truck to another driver at Mayuge Town, who moments later lost control of it.
“The truck was unstable and speeding. It rolled several times before landing on its side,” an eyewitness recounted, adding that the vehicle seemed to be in poor condition even before the journey began.
All the deceased were residents of Kakunhu village in Imanyiro Sub-county. Some of the victims have been identified as Ibra Igulu, Onyango Asuman, Patrick Kiirya, and Edisa Baisi, while others remain unidentified.
The driver who was behind the wheel at the time of the accident fled the scene and is still being hunted by police.
ASP Moses Kakiryo, who led the police response, said a rescue team and ambulance were quickly dispatched to the site.
Over 10 victims were evacuated, with some rushed to Mayuge Health Center IV and nearby private clinics.
The most critically injured were later referred to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital for advanced care.
Police have since launched investigations to determine the exact cause of the crash, but overloading, reckless driving, and mechanical failure are suspected to have played a major role.
