63 people killed in huge road crash after two buses ‘attempt to overtake in opposite directions’ in Uganda

A road accident involving two buses on one of Uganda’s busiest highways killed at least 63 people and left others injured, police said on Wednesday.

The crash happened just after midnight on the highway between the capital Kampala and the northern city of Gulu.

Initial investigations suggest it was caused by two buses coming from opposite directions trying to overtake other vehicles, a lorry and a sport utility vehicle (SUV).

‘In the process both buses met head-on during the overtaking manoeuvres,’ the Uganda Police Force said in a statement on X. 

‘Sixty-three people lost lives, all occupants from involved vehicles’.

Michael Kananura, a spokesperson for the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety,  told local media: ‘One of the drivers swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision, but this resulted in a head-on and side collision, causing a chain reaction that led to other vehicles losing control and overturning several times. 

Police said all passengers on the two buses died at the scene, while several people in the SUV sustained serious injuries. They have reportedly been taken to Kiryandongo Hospital and other nearby medical facilities.

The bodies of the deceased have been taken to nearby hospital mortuaries for identification and post-mortem examination. 

Uganda’s Red Cross Society said it was on standby to support medical teams.  

The Kampala-Gulu highway is a notoriously dangerous, if necessary, road route that connects the country’s north and south. 

Uganda has seen a significant increase in road traffic accidents in recent years. Road crashed and fatal crashed each grew around 6% between 2023 and 2024. 

Casualties, meanwhile, grew up 4.4% and fatalities on the road increased by 7%. 

In 2021, Uganda had a road fatality rate of 16 per 100,000 people.

More to follow.