One Dead, Ten Injured in UPDF Vehicle Accident in Rukungiri

The UPDF vehicle after the accident.

One person died and ten others, including Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers, sustained injuries on Tuesday after a military vehicle overturned along the Bikurungu–Rweshama Road in Bikurungu Town Council, Rukungiri District.

The Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, Elly Maate, confirmed the incident, which occurred on August 19, 2025, at around 2:00 pm at Mironzi I Cell. The accident involved a UPDF vehicle, registration number H4DF 2476, green in color, driven by a soldier whose identity had not yet been established.

The deceased was identified as Zefaniya Ssekikayi, a resident of Kisenyi, Nakasongola Town Council.

The injured UPDF personnel include:

RA 178799 S/Sgt. Diadon Muhanguzi

RA 188849 S/Sgt. Geoffrey Luwoko

RA 221292 Cpl. Edward Angudu

RA 294059 Pte. Jennifer Katurole

The civilian casualties were named as Judith Tushemereirwe, Moreen Tumuramye, Jesca Birabwa, Julia Nantumbwe, and Henry Luganda.

According to Maate, the group was traveling from Nakasongola to attend the burial of Staff Sergeant Benard Twebaze. Upon reaching Rukungiri, they proceeded via the Bikurungu–Rweshama Road, but the narrow and slippery stretch proved difficult to navigate.

“It is alleged that the vehicle’s front tire slipped off the road, causing it to overturn on the passenger side, injuring those on board,” Maate said.

The victims were rushed to Nyakibale Hospital, where Ssekikayi was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police visited and documented the scene, recorded statements, and towed the vehicle to the police yard for inspection. Preliminary findings point to poor road conditions and bad weather as the primary causes of the accident