A tragic road accident late Friday night in southwestern Uganda claimed the lives of ten Congolese nationals, including five children, and left 31 others injured. The crash occurred around 11:30 p.m. in Kamuserwa Cell, Nyakibaale Ward, Rubanda District, when a Hiace minibus, registered UBK 037G, veered off the road and overturned.
The vehicle was traveling from Kisoro District to the Rwamwanja refugee camp in Kamwenge District, carrying more than 40 passengers, far exceeding its capacity. According to Kigezi Police spokesperson Elly Maate, the accident was caused by the driver’s inability to navigate a sharp bend in the road, leading to the vehicle’s loss of control and subsequent rollover.
“Ten people have been confirmed dead, including five children,” Maate said. “Investigations are underway to establish the precise cause of the accident.”
The victims, who were mainly refugees, were taken to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, where hospital director Philbert John Nyeko provided updates on the condition of the injured. “We have 34 casualties admitted, including one person undergoing surgery in the theatre. A two-month-old baby, whose mother is presumed dead, is among the critically injured,” Nyeko said.
The hospital confirmed that ten bodies were being held in the mortuary, eight of whom died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries shortly after arrival.
Nyeko also highlighted the strain placed on the hospital’s resources due to the high number of casualties. “Our usual capacity is about 50 patients a day, but the number of injured in this accident has overwhelmed our emergency services,” he said. “We are coordinating with nearby medical facilities for additional support and mobilizing resources to care for the victims, many of whom have no relatives present.”
The accident underscores the dangers of overcrowded vehicles on Uganda’s roads, with authorities urging caution and stricter enforcement of vehicle safety regulations. As investigations continue, the bodies of the deceased remain at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital’s mortuary.
