At least 63 people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a grisly road crash that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning, October 22, 2025, at Kitaleba Village near Asili Farm, along the Kampala–Gulu Highway.
According to Traffic Police Spokesperson Michael Kananura, the fatal collision happened at around 12:15 a.m. and involved four motor vehicles — a Nile Star Coaches Isuzu bus (UBF 614X), a Toyota Surf (CGO 5132AB 07), a Tata lorry (UBK 647C), and another Isuzu bus belonging to Planet Company (UAM 045V).
Preliminary reports indicate that one of the buses was traveling from Kampala towards Gulu while the other was heading in the opposite direction when they collided head-on, resulting in a chain crash involving the two other vehicles. The impact left wreckage scattered across the highway, with several passengers trapped inside the mangled buses.
Emergency responders, including police, the Uganda Red Cross, and local residents, rushed to the scene to retrieve bodies and rescue survivors. The injured were rushed to Bombo Military Hospital and Mulago National Referral Hospital for emergency treatment.
“The scene was horrific. Bodies were strewn on the road, and some vehicles were completely destroyed,” an eyewitness told reporters.
Police said investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the accident, but reckless driving, speeding, and fatigue among long-distance drivers are being considered as possible factors.
Kananura appealed to bus operators to adhere to traffic regulations and ensure their drivers are well-rested before embarking on night journeys.
“We continue to lose innocent lives because of indiscipline and negligence on our roads. We urge the public to report drivers who endanger passengers,” he said.