By A harrowing incident unfolded on Friday evening when two vehicles in Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja’s convoy were involved in a serious accident near the Lwera swamp in Kalungu District. The crash occurred as the Prime Minister was returning to Kampala following an official event in Lwengo, sending shockwaves through the country’s political circles and raising concerns about government officials’ safety on Uganda’s roads.
According to Southern Region Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye, the accident involved two Toyota Hilux vehicles, registered as UG 0861Z and UG 1052Z, both part of the Prime Minister’s official convoy. The incident was triggered when the driver of one Hilux attempted to overtake a truck carrying matooke (green bananas), a common sight on Ugandan roads. Upon noticing an oncoming vehicle, the driver tried to abort the maneuver and return to the original lane. However, this action led to a collision with another vehicle in the convoy, causing the driver to lose control.
The severity of the accident was underscored by its classification as “serious” by traffic police in Kalungu, who registered the incident under case number TAR58/2024. In the aftermath of the crash, one woman in the convoy, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Nkozi hospital in Mpigi District for urgent medical attention.
Prime Minister Nabbanja, fortunately, escaped unharmed and was able to continue her journey to Kampala after a brief delay. The incident, however, has raised questions about the safety protocols in place for high-ranking government officials and the potential risks associated with convoy travel on Uganda’s often challenging road network.
The two damaged vehicles have been towed to the police station in Lukaya Town Council for further investigation. This accident comes at a time when Prime Minister Nabbanja was actively engaged in government programs, including national farmers mobilization efforts in the districts of Kyotera and Mpigi.
This incident highlights the ongoing issues of road safety in Uganda and the potential vulnerabilities even in high-security convoys. It serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by government officials and ordinary citizens alike on the country’s roads.
As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, there will likely be increased scrutiny of convoy safety measures and traffic management protocols for high-ranking officials. The incident may also spark broader discussions about infrastructure improvements and road safety initiatives across Uganda.
The swift response of emergency services and the successful evacuation of the injured party demonstrate the importance of well-coordinated emergency protocols. However, the accident also underscores the need for continued vigilance and potentially enhanced safety measures for government convoys traversing Uganda’s diverse and sometimes challenging terrain.
As Prime Minister Nabbanja resumes her duties, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unexpected dangers that can arise even in the most secure environments. It may prompt a review of travel procedures for government officials and potentially lead to new safety measures being implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
