Deadly Crash on Mbarara–Bushenyi Road Sparks Calls for Urgent Government Action

MBARARA, Uganda – Residents and survivors are demanding urgent government intervention following a Sunday afternoon crash on the Mbarara–Bushenyi Road that left one person dead and several others injured.

The crash, involving a heavy truck and a passenger taxi (registration UBE 047S), has reignited concern over the state of the highway and the lack of emergency medical services in the region.

Samuel Ahereza, a survivor who was traveling in a vehicle behind the truck, described the moment of impact, saying, “We seriously survived.”

Ahereza added that his vehicle, carrying four adults and three children, nearly veered off the road.

“We saw the trailer have a minor collision with the taxi, causing it to lose control and get off the road. Our driver lost control as well but fortunately, only the driver sustained injuries while the rest of us including the children are safe,” he said.

First responders at the scene highlighted gaps in emergency response, with some victims struggling to access immediate medical care.

John Nasasira, who helped transport victims, told Monitor that: “I reached there and found an accident and of course transported one of the patients who was critically injured to the nearby clinic. But when I arrived, I found other patients already there and the clinic was full.”

He called for ambulances to be stationed along the highway.

“If we had a nearby ambulance, it could have solved the problem by taking patients for treatment on time,” Nasasira said.

Residents identified a sharp corner along the road as a recurring accident blackspot.

Ronald Gumisiriza, an eyewitness, said: “One month ago, an accident happened here and again today as it was raining, one person died on the spot and three were critically injured. These accidents are due to the road being in a poor state and drivers moving at high speeds. We need speed humps here.”

Ismail Basasira also criticized the condition of the road.

“The road is in critical condition and it’s a corner, yet there isn’t even a signpost to warn drivers that there is a school nearby and people are dying daily. The president should work on this road,” he observed.

The truck involved in the crash reportedly did not stop and continued toward Bushenyi.

By press time, police had not issued an official statement on the exact number of casualties or progress in tracing the driver.

Road traffic deaths in Uganda rose to 5,383 in 2025, averaging 15 fatalities per day, according to the 2025 annual police crime and traffic report.