Two Ugandans Perish In Fuso Truck & Boda Boda Accident As 8 Suffer Injuries
Two people have been confirmed deceased and eight others severely injured following a collision involving a Fuso truck and boda boda riders at Kawaala junction in Nabweru, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District. The traffic police spokesperson, SP Michael Kananura, disclosed that the accident occurred between Motor Vehicle No. UAQ 539E, a Mitsubishi Fuso, and Motorcycles No. UFS 111, UEP 598K, and UFU 872P (all Bajaj Boxers).
The identities of the deceased, a motorcycle rider, and a passenger, were not immediately available at the time of reporting. The injured victims were promptly transported to Mulago National Referral Hospital following the incident, which transpired at 12:40 pm on Sunday. Peliminary investigations indicate that the driver of the truck, traveling from Kazo, failed to brake while descending into the junction, resulting in the collision with the motorcycles.
The bodies have been taken to Mulago mortuary for postmortem examinations, and both the vehicles and motorcycles have been impounded at Nabweru Police Station pending inspection. The authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the accident. Police are currently searching for the driver of the truck, who fled the scene.
Road accidents are unfortunately common in Uganda, with the police frequently attributing them to human error. On a global scale, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates an alarming annual death toll of 7,315 due to road crashes in Uganda, nearly double the figures reported to the police, which amounted to 4,159 in 2022.
According to the police’s annual traffic and crime report for 2021, approximately 81 percent of crash fatalities were males, while females accounted for 19 percent. However, WHO’s statistics indicate a higher proportion of male casualties at 95 percent, with females comprising 5 percent. The death rate per 100,000 population is estimated at 16.
A 2022 report by Dr. Charles Ayume, the Koboko Municipality MP and chairperson of the Health Committee in Parliament, highlights the significant financial burden imposed by road crash victims’ treatment on government regional referral hospitals. The daily cost of treating these injuries across the country’s healthcare facilities amounts to approximately Shs236.3 million.
Annually, the government allocates Shs86.2 billion towards road accident treatment, constituting a substantial portion of the national health budget. Dr. Ayume emphasizes the multifaceted toll of road accidents, encompassing health, social, and economic repercussions.