In one of the worst traffic disasters in recent years, Uganda witnessed a devastating accident that claimed the lives of 63 people and left many others injured. The tragic collision occurred on the Kampala–Gulu Highway, near the small village of Katalebe, where a series of vehicles collided following reckless overtaking maneuvers by two speeding buses.
According to international news agencies, the accident happened when four fast-moving vehicles, including passenger buses and a cargo truck, crashed into each other in a chain reaction. Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrific, with wrecked vehicles scattered across the road and passengers trapped inside. Local residents and first responders rushed to the site to help pull survivors from the mangled remains of the vehicles before emergency teams arrived.
Traffic police officials confirmed that the initial investigation indicates two buses traveling in opposite directions tried to overtake other vehicles at high speed on a narrow stretch of the highway. The reckless overtaking attempt caused a head-on collision, followed by multiple impacts from vehicles coming behind. The impact was so severe that several passengers died on the spot, while others succumbed to their injuries on the way to nearby hospitals.
Authorities said the death toll may rise as several of the injured remain in critical condition. Emergency medical teams have been deployed to nearby hospitals in Luweero and Kampala, where doctors are working round the clock to save lives. The bodies of the deceased have been moved to regional hospitals for identification, and efforts are ongoing to contact their families.
Uganda’s police spokesperson described the incident as the “worst road tragedy in recent years,” adding that the government will conduct a full inquiry into the causes of the accident. “We urge drivers to exercise caution, avoid dangerous overtaking, and respect traffic laws,” the spokesperson said. “Reckless behavior on the highways continues to take innocent lives, and this tragedy must serve as a wake-up call.”
The Kampala–Gulu Highway, one of Uganda’s busiest transport routes, connects the capital city to the northern parts of the country. It is often crowded with long-distance buses, trucks, and commuter taxis. Despite being an essential trade and travel corridor, the highway is notorious for frequent accidents caused by over-speeding, poor visibility, and lack of strict enforcement of traffic rules.
