Six killed as speeding taxi Rams into bus on Mityana–Mubende highway

Six people, including two children returning to school, were killed in a fatal evening crash in Kassanda District after a commuter taxi rammed into a parked bus on the Mityana–Mubende highway.

Wreckage of a commuter taxi that rammed into a parked Link Bus along the Mityana–Mubende highway at Kyakatebe village in Kassanda District, killing six people on Sunday evening.

Kassanda, Uganda: Six people, including two school-going children returning for the new term, were killed on Sunday evening following a horrific road crash along the Mityana–Mubende highway in Kassanda District.

The crash occurred at around 6:40 pm at Kyakatebe village, approximately 30 kilometres from Mityana Town, involving a commuter taxi, registration UBQ 154K, and a parked bus belonging to Link Bus Company, registration UBE 535H.

According to eyewitness accounts, the taxi, which was travelling from Mityana towards Mubende, rammed into the stationary bus at high speed amid poor visibility caused by heavy dust from ongoing road works.

An eyewitness and the bus driver, who identified himself only as Timothy, said the crash was largely caused by overspeeding. “The road section between Namuganga trading centre and Mubende has a lot of dust because of the works. Visibility is very poor, but many drivers are speeding,” he said.

“I decided to stop when I noticed a taxi approaching at a terrible speed. Unfortunately, the driver did not see the bus in time and rammed into it.”

Timothy said he personally counted six bodies at the scene, among them two children who were heading back to school. “The taxi driver survived with minor injuries, but most of the passengers were badly hurt. Many were rushed to nearby health facilities, and it will be a miracle if some survive,” he added.

A traffic officer at the scene, who declined to speak for the institution as he is not the official spokesperson, warned that the death toll could rise, citing severe head injuries and broken limbs among several survivors.

The Wamala Regional Police Spokesperson, Mr Lameck Kigozi, said police were still compiling details. “I am in touch with our traffic team in Kassanda, and I will issue a statement once the exact number of fatalities and injuries is confirmed,” Kigozi said.

The crash comes amid growing concern over road safety as schools reopen. According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2024, the country recorded 25,107 road crashes, resulting in 25,808 casualties. Traffic police attribute the accidents to reckless driving, poor road conditions, speeding, and human error.