BY ROSE KASIGWA

At least 46 people were killed and numerous others injured on October 22, 2025, following a multi-vehicle collision at Asili farm  Kitaleba village along  Kampala Gulu high way  in Kiryadongo District. 

The accident involved UAM 045V Isuzu bus blue in colour  belonging to Planet company, 614XIsuzu bus  yellow in colour belonging to Nile star company and CGO 5132AB 07 Toyota land cruiser blue in color.

The police had earlier reported a death toll of 63, saying they had mistakenly included victims who were unconscious and were now being treated.

According to police, the accident occurred   on 22/10/2025 at around  1215C in Kitaleba village/Asili farm along Kampala Gulu high way in Kiryandongo District.

Motor vehicle Registration number UBF 631X Isuzu bus belonging to Nile star company driven by yet to be identified driver was from Kampala heading to Arua upon reaching at above village was over taking Motor vehicle Registration number UBK647C Tata lorry Blue in colour.

Police further reports on the opposite  side motor vehicle  Reg number UAM 045V Isuzu bus belonging to Planet company  was from Adjumani heading to Kampala which was  also over taking Motor vehicle Registration number CGO2532A Toyota land cruiser blue in colour. The driver reportedly failed to overtake seeing the Nile star bus had almost reached so the driver of planet bus swift to right lane hence  head and side collision between Nile star bus and Planet bus While motor vehicle Reg number CGO 5232AB07 Toyota land cruiser and Tata lorry drivers Lost control and over turned several times and fell in the valley also injuring and killing their occupants.   

One of the buses swerved in an attempt to avoid a crash, but in the process caused a “head on and side collision” that led to a “chain reaction” in which other vehicles lost control and overturned.

As well as the fatalities, the passengers of the vehicles involved and several others were injured, police said. An investigation has been launched.

The injured have been taken to different hospitals in the western town of Kiryandongo.

In a statement, police said they were working with health and emergency services to verify the numbers and provide accurate updates as investigations continue into the cause of the tragedy.

President Yoweri Museveni said he had learnt of the tragic accident “with sadness” and sent his condolences to the bereaved families.

He urged caution to prevent such tragedies. He directed that each bereaved family be given five million shillings each and a million shillings to the injured.

Uganda continues to face a significant challenge with road carnage, with projections indicating a persistent high rate of fatalities and injuries throughout 2025, likely exceeding previous years.

The Uganda Police Force (UPF) and the Ministry of Works and Transport are the primary bodies responsible for collecting data and  reports from early 2025 and analyses of 2024 data suggest that factors such as reckless driving, speeding, drunk driving, dangerous overtaking, pedestrian vulnerability, and the poor mechanical condition of vehicles remain leading causes of accidents.