By Robert Segawa
Three people lost their lives and ten others sustained serious injuries in a tragic road crash that occurred on Monday evening at Wantoni Junction along the Jinja Highway in Mukono District.
The fatal accident involved four vehicles a Mitsubishi Fuso truck (registration number UBB 422U), a Toyota Omnibus (UBP 359W), and two Toyota Hiace vans (UAW 042E and UAQ 398L) as well as five motorcycles with registration numbers UFL 976T (Bajaj), UFN 916P (TVS), UEU 698W (Bajaj), UDK 495B (Bajaj), and UDZ 777A (Bajaj).
According to preliminary investigations, the driver of the Mitsubishi Fuso truck, which was loaded with cargo and traveling from Kampala towards Jinja, reportedly lost control of the vehicle at Wantoni Junction. The truck veered into the opposite lane, crashing into several vehicles, motorcycles, and roadside food stalls.
The impact resulted in the immediate deaths of three individuals and left ten others pedestrians, motorcycle riders, vehicle passengers, and drivers critically injured.
Michael Kananura, the spokesperson for Traffic and Road Safety, confirmed that the injured were rushed to various medical facilities, including Mukono General Hospital. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Kawolo Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.
All vehicles and motorcycles involved in the incident have been towed to the Mukono Police parking yard and are currently awaiting inspection as investigations into the cause of the crash commence.
Kananura attributed the accident to a mechanical failure, stating that the truck’s braking system had failed.
“We urge all motorists to be extra cautious and ensure that their vehicles are in proper mechanical condition before starting the engine,” he advised.
