Kisoro, Uganda– The Police in Kisoro district have launched an investigation into a serious bus accident that left 18 passengers injured. The incident involved a Gateway bus, registration number UBK 804Y, which overturned at Chanakye red corner in Kanaba Sub County along the Kisoro-Kabale road. The accident occurred today at approximately 10:50 AM.
According to ASP Elly Maate, the spokesperson for the Kigezi Regional Police, the bus was driven by 40-year-old Owoyesigire Julius, a resident of Nyabihoko in Ntungamo district. The bus, which was traveling from Kabale towards Kisoro, was carrying a total of 60 passengers. As it approached Chanakye trading center, the vehicle began to descend the slope at Chanakye red corner. Witnesses report that the driver attempted to apply the brakes but was unable to negotiate the sharp turn, resulting in the bus overturning onto its side.
Of the 18 injured passengers, 15 sustained minor injuries, while three were reported to have serious injuries. ASP Maate confirmed that emergency services responded promptly, with the scene visited by ASP Kushaba Michael and his team. A sketch plan was drawn to assess the accident scene, and the injured were transported to various clinics and hospitals for medical attention.
The bus was subsequently towed and parked at the Kisoro Central Police Station (CPS) pending an inspection. Preliminary investigations by the police suggest that the accident may have been caused by brake failure and excessive speed.
ASP Maate identified several of the injured passengers, including:
– Byarugaba Francis, 46, Mutorele, Kisoro
– Muhawenimana Ketra, 19, Bunagana, Kisoro
– Ntezimana Martin, 42, Bunagana, Kisoro
– Bonabana Suzan, 39, Kasambya, Mubende
– Nakimuri Prossy, 38, Kasambya, Mubende
– Nteziyaremye Samuel, 40, Bunagana, Kisoro
– Nakawesa Florence, 27, Entebbe
– Tushemerirwe Gladith, 48, Kanungu
– Ntakiyinanira Promise, 21, Nyarusiza, Kisoro
– Byukusenge Ezira, 23, Muramba, Kisoro
– Barikamanya Debra, 35, Kisoro town
– Kwagara Faith, 9
– Higa Charles, 45, Kampala
– Mujawimana Janet, 25, Kigezi, Kanaba, Kisoro
– Kwesiga Joseph, 25, Gayaza, Kampala
– Twisenge Ivan, 24, Nyakabande, Kisoro
– Athieno Bibian, 29, Tororo
– An 8-month-old child
This latest accident follows closely on the heels of another Gateway bus incident just two days earlier, where 11 people were injured on the Ntungamo-Kabale road in Rukiga district. That accident occurred at Rwabahazi village around 6:10 AM when the driver of a Scania bus, registration number UBM 707X, failed to negotiate a corner. The bus not only struck a pedestrian, identified as Dafuroza Rwakinda, but also veered off the road, leading to a rollover.
Among those injured in the Rukiga incident were the bus driver, Karim Balabye, 54, a resident of Bugembe in Jinja district, and several other passengers of varying ages, including minors. Rwakinda sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital for urgent medical care.
Police spokesperson Elly Maate confirmed that investigations into both accidents are ongoing. The wreckage of the Rukiga bus has been taken to Muhanga police station for thorough inspection. Authorities are urging bus companies to prioritize safety measures, particularly concerning vehicle maintenance and driver training.
As these incidents raise serious concerns about road safety and the reliability of public transport services in the region, both passengers and the local community are left questioning the measures in place to prevent such tragic accidents in the future. The police continue to call for vigilance among drivers and stricter adherence to safety protocols to protect the lives of passengers on Uganda’s roads.
