: Minister Huda’s Military Escorts Killed in Bombo Accide

According to the 2024 Annual Traffic Police Report, the country recorded over 23,000 road crashes, resulting in approximately 4,800 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries

Norbert Mao

KAMPALA: Uganda’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has said he is safe after witnessing a fatal road accident in Bombo on Sunday night involving a lorry and an escort vehicle for Minister of State for Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Huda Oleru.

In a statement issued Monday, Mao said the crash occurred at around 7:00 p.m. in Kalule, Bombo, Luweero District, when a lorry collided head-on with a security pickup escorting Oleru.

Mao clarified that none of his vehicles was involved, but he and his team stopped to assist victims.

“With the help of other travellers and locals, we rescued the escorts and managed to send the injured to Bombo Military Hospital,” Mao said.

“Unfortunately, one of the soldiers who was trapped in the pickup died instantly. We later confirmed that another soldier had died on arrival at Bombo Hospital. Others are receiving treatment.”

Mao said he had spoken to Defence Minister Oboth Oboth, who instructed medical teams from Bombo to respond.

He also contacted Minister Oleru, whose vehicle was not affected by the crash.

Mao thanked bystanders and his security team for acting as first responders and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers.

The accident adds to growing concerns over road safety in Uganda. According to the 2024 Annual Traffic Police Report, the country recorded over 23,000 road crashes, resulting in approximately 4,800 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries.

The Kampala–Gulu highway, which passes through Bombo, remains one of the high-risk corridors due to heavy traffic, speeding, and frequent encounters between civilian vehicles and military convoys.

Pedestrians, boda-boda riders, and security escorts are among the most vulnerable groups, with human error—especially reckless driving—responsible for more than 70% of deadly crashes. Authorities have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and better driver discipline to curb the rising fatalities.

Mao urged calm and reassured the public about his wellbeing. “I wish to assure everybody that I’m well. We only did our civic duty to assist the victims,” he said.

Police have not yet issued an official statement on the cause of the collision.