Another accident leaves scores injured as Nile Star Bus overturns in Kiryandongo

Nile Star Bus (UBG 0196C) overturned in Alengo Village, Mutunda Sub-county, Kiryandongo District on Wednesday evening. Several passengers are said to have sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby clinics for treatment.

Kiryandongo, Uganda: Several passengers were rushed to nearby health facilities after a Nile Star Bus overturned along the Kampala–Arua highway in Alengo Village, Diima Parish in Mutunda Sub-county, Kiryandongo District, on Wednesday evening.

Eyewitnesses told DailyExpress that the bus, registration number UBG 0196C, overturned at around 5:34 p.m., leaving dozens of travellers on board injured.

“The driver tried to swerve to avoid a speeding boda boda rider who suddenly appeared from the Karuma direction,” said one of the witnesses. “In the process, the bus lost balance and overturned.”

Police Confirm Incident, No Deaths Reported

A police officer attached to Kiryandongo Central Police Station, who preferred anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed the incident, noting that no fatalities had been recorded at the time of reporting.

“Fortunately, no death has been registered, but several passengers sustained injuries. They were quickly taken to nearby clinics and health centres for first aid and treatment,” the officer said.

He added that preliminary investigations point to reckless driving and sudden obstruction by a boda boda rider as the likely cause of the crash.

The officer also issued a stern warning to road users, particularly boda boda riders, over misuse of major highways and reckless overtaking that continues to cause road carnage in the district. “We are approaching the festive season, and many people are travelling. We urge drivers and cyclists to exercise maximum caution, especially as children are reporting back home for holidays,” he cautioned.

Kiryandongo’s Troubling Record of Road Carnage

Kiryandongo remains one of Uganda’s most accident-prone districts, often recording fatal road crashes along the Kampala–Gulu–Arua highway. Just a month ago, the district registered a deadly accident that claimed over 40 lives, prompting police to increase patrols and road checks in the area.

Road safety experts have repeatedly cited speeding, fatigue, and poor overtaking as major causes of the rising number of highway accidents, especially involving buses and long-distance trucks.