Footballer dies as six injured in post-match Hoima road crash
Deceased local club footballer Timothy Kyomuhendo, commonly called Junior. PHOTO/HANDOUT
What you need to know:
- Deadly-chaotic traffic scenes usually erupt whenever Kitara FC wins at the Masindi Stadium, where the Royals currently host their home games.
- Victory for Kitara FC at the conclusion of their first-round fixtures pushed the club to 2nd spot but weekend results could influence league position changes.
At least one man is reported dead and six others injured after a road crash following Friday’s Kitara Football Club (FC) 3-1 comeback, beating Bright Stars FC in Uganda’s top tier league.
The accident, suffered by returning enthusiasts of the high-flying oil city-based club, occurred when a Toyota Wish car they were traveling in crashed at Kakindo Village, just over 10kms from central Hoima.
On Saturday, Kitara FC reported a casualty toll, with spokesperson for the club Geoffrey Tumwesige saying: “The vehicle had seven occupants at the time of the accident. 17-year-old Busiisi FC captain Timothy Kyomuhendo died on spot.”
He added: “One person sustained a minor scratch. Five people were rushed to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital of whom four are improving and able to talk and walk.”
Tumwesigye, who mid-morning Saturday visited the hospital, reported that “the fifth person (Winnie Karungi, aged 34) sustained serious head injuries- and is in critical condition.”
The wreckage of the ill-fated vehicle in which the deceased and 6 other football fans were traveling on January 5, 2024. PHOTO/SCREENGRAB/COURTESY
One of the accident survivors told Kitara FC officials that the Toyota Wish driver, who was trying to overtake a car, swerved off the road as he attempted to avoid knocking an oncoming motorcycle.
Asked for an update on the tragedy, on-leave Albertine region police spokesperson Julius Hakiiza said he needed time to gather details on circumstances and cause of the accident.
Deadly-chaotic traffic scenes usually erupt whenever Kitara FC picks victory at the Masindi Municipal Stadium- where the Royals currently host their home games, pending completion of their stadium in neighboring Hoima District due mid-2024.
Masindi District and Hoima City are over 50kms geographically apart in mid-western Uganda.
Football followers from across Uganda were Saturday morning still sending their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased to be buried Sunday.
“Most times, emotions tend to overpower our intelligence especially when Kitara wins. We tend to forget all the risks involving reckless driving, but we shall not celebrate the win when we have no lives,” cautioned Kikuube District councillor for Bugambe, Christopher Nkalu.
Injured, age
Winnie Karungi, 34
Enock Musiime, 15
Rodney Mugisha, 20
William Arinaitwe, 28
Pascal Kiiza, 30
Abdul Ngabirano, 42
Meanwhile, victory at the conclusion of their first-round fixtures pushed Kitara FC to 2nd spot on 29 points from 15 matches but weekend results could influence league position changes.
A win for title chasing hosts Vipers SC on Sunday, against Busoga United, would see the Venoms jump to 2nd position, three points behind log leaders Bul FC who were held by Mbarara FC late Saturday.
Round 15 results and fixtures
Friday
Kitara FC 3-1 Bright Stars FC
Maroons 4-2 UPDF FC
Saturday
Bul FC 1-1 Mbarara City
Express 3-0 Gadaffi
NEC FC 2-1 Arua Hill SC
Wakiso Giants 2-1 KCCA FC
Sunday
URA SC Vs SC Villa
Vipers Vs Busoga United
Kitara FC returned to the Star Times Uganda Premier League after it was sportingly promoted on May 11, 2023.
