A tragic midnight collision on Uganda’s busy Kampala–Gulu Highway has left at least 63 people dead, in what authorities are calling one of the deadliest road accidents in the country’s recent history.
The fatal crash occurred around 12:15 a.m. (local time) on Wednesday when two long-distance passenger buses, travelling in opposite directions, collided head-on near Kiryandongo, a town in western Uganda.
The buses were reportedly attempting to overtake a lorry and a car when one swerved, triggering a chain reaction that caused several vehicles to overturn and burst into flames.
According to the Uganda Police Force, preliminary investigations suggest that dangerous overtaking and reckless driving were the primary causes of the collision.
“The impact was severe, leading to multiple fatalities on the spot,” police said in a statement. “Emergency responders and traffic officers worked through the night to rescue survivors and recover bodies from the wreckage.”
Several injured passengers were rushed to hospitals in Kiryandongo and nearby medical facilities, though the exact number of survivors is still being verified.
Police have launched a full investigation into the incident and have warned motorists against reckless maneuvers, noting that speeding and dangerous overtaking remain among the leading causes of fatal road accidents in Uganda.
The Kampala–Gulu Highway serves as a key transport artery linking Uganda’s capital, Kampala, to Gulu in the country’s north.
The route is heavily used by commercial and passenger vehicles and has witnessed multiple fatal crashes over the years.
Authorities say further updates on the number of casualties and the identities of the victims will be released once families have been notified.
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