Tragedy on Jinja-Kampala Highway!! Deadly Collision Claims Lives, Several Injured

A horrific crash along the Jinja-Kampala highway on Saturday afternoon has left multiple people dead and several others critically injured after a sand-loaded lorry collided head-on with a passenger van.

Eyewitnesses reported that the lorry, heavily laden with sand, was speeding when it failed to navigate a bend, veering straight into the path of the van packed with travelers. The collision was devastating, leaving both vehicles crumpled and debris strewn across the highway.

Several passengers died on the spot, while others suffered life-threatening injuries.

Emergency teams from the Uganda Police and Red Cross rushed to the scene, quickly transporting the injured to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. Hospital officials confirmed that the survivors remain in critical condition, with medical teams working tirelessly to stabilize them. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the hospital morgue for identification and postmortem examinations.

According to eyewitness accounts, reckless driving and possible mechanical failure contributed to the tragedy.

“The lorry was moving too fast. It couldn’t handle the corner, and then there was a loud crash,” recalled Samuel Okello, a boda boda rider who witnessed the accident.

Preliminary investigations suggest that brake failure may have caused the lorry’s driver to lose control. Authorities have launched a full inquiry to determine the exact cause and ensure those responsible are held accountable.

Speaking at the crash site, the Busoga East Regional Police Commander urged motorists to exercise caution, particularly along the Jinja-Kampala route, which has gained a grim reputation for deadly accidents.

“Speeding combined with poorly maintained vehicles is a lethal mix. We are stepping up road safety enforcement to curb these tragedies,” he said.

The incident has reignited national concern over road safety standards, with renewed calls for stricter vehicle inspections, tougher penalties for reckless drivers, and better maintenance of Uganda’s major highways.

As investigations continue, families mourn loved ones lost too soon in yet another preventable road disaster.