Bus driver dies after crashing into stationary trailer
The wreckage of the Link bus parked at a police station in Kyenjojo District on July 12, 2023 afer it rammed into a stationary truck the evening before. Inset is Dauda Kawawu, the bus driver who died in the crash. Photo/Alex Ashaba.
What you need to know:
- Dauda Kawawu who was driving one of the buses belonging to Link Bus Services company died on the spot following the 7:45pm crash at Mukunyu, Kyenjojo District.
- Kawawu’s death happened just hours after the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among asked police and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to clear all major highways of abandoned vehicles that pose a threat to road safety.
A bus driver died Tuesday evening after ramming into a stationary broken-down trailer along Kampala – Fort Portal road, police have said.
Dauda Kawawu who was driving one of the buses belonging to Link Bus Services company died on the spot following the 7:45pm crash at Mukunyu, Kyenjojo District.
‘’The other victims were immediately rushed to Kyenjojo Hospital for medical attention,’’ said Rwenzori West regional police spokesperson, SP Twesige Vincent.
The truck into which the bus rammed
At least 11 other occupants of the bus sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Kyenjojo Hospital, located approximately 20 kilometers away from the crash scene. Among the injured are Jamila Kabakama, Angela Natukunda, Christine Mbabazi, Emmanuel Mulisa, Namaganda Rwamimi, Regina Ojulong, Ipwate Ester, Katusabe Iren and Biira Zulaika.
Dr Balam Kyamanywa, the acting medical superintendent at Kyenjojo Hospital said five of the injured were in critical condition. Many of the survivors sustained broken limbs.
The five who were critically injured were subsequently referred to the Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital for further treatment. The remaining patients at Kyenjojo Hospital were reported to be responding well to treatment.
Ms Mbabazi currently admitted at Kyenjojo Hospital echoed Parliament Speaker Anita Amon’s call to the government and relevant authorities to tow away all stationary vehicles, especially those on highways, as they pose a risk to other road users.
Local residents said Mukunyu is a neglected black spot where numerous vehicles have overturned, claiming lives in the past.
The truck into which the bus rammed
The crash happened just hours after the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among asked police and Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to clear all major highways of abandoned vehicles that pose a threat to road safety.
In response to a recent incident in which Mr Apollo Nyegamehe, also known as Aponye, lost his life in a road accident, Ms Among while presiding over Tuesday afternoon plenary session directed the Minister of Works and Transport to collaborate with the police and UNRA to tow away vehicles parked along major highways.
The owners would be responsible for the cost of towing. This, she argued was aimed at preventing similar crashes in the future.
The Speaker's directive also followed a series of road crashes that have resulted in the loss of prominent individuals from both the political and business spheres.
Just days after Aponye's death, former Erute North MP, Mr Charles Angiro Gutomoi, and three others perished in a road crash along the Karuma-Olwiyo-Pakwach-Nebbi road.
Ms Among also called on the Ministry of Works to prepare a comprehensive report outlining the actions taken by the government to reduce the increasing number of road crashes in the country.
Her directive comes two weeks after the government introduced a new law imposing a fine of Shs2 million on motorists who exceed speed limits. The government believes that this measure will help restore order on the roads and save numerous lives that are lost each year.
Recent police statistics indicate that at least 12 people die every day in road crashes in the country.
