Five killed, nine injured as fuel trailer rams taxi on Masaka-Kyotera Highway

The ill-fated truck involved in the crash that killed five people and left others injured along the Masaka–Kyotera–Mutukula Highway on June 18, 2026. Photo by Malik Fahad Jjingo.

Five people were killed and nine others injured on Thursday when a speeding fuel tanker rammed into a commuter taxi parked along the Masaka-Kyotera-Mutukula Highway, police said.

The crash occurred at around 11:00 a.m. at Botera Village and involved a fuel tanker registration number T813 DYP and a commuter taxi registration number UBH 378W.

According to eyewitnesses, the taxi had stopped by the roadside to allow a passenger to disembark when the trailer, which was travelling from Masaka towards Kyotera, crashed into it.

"The commuter taxi overturned several times following the collision, killing five people and injuring others," said Andrew Kityo, an eyewitness.

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Kityo said the taxi was clearly parked off the road and questioned how the trailer driver failed to notice it.

"Despite the road being under construction, it was visible that the taxi was parked by the roadside. We wondered how the trailer driver ended up knocking it without noticing it," he said.

The Southern Regional Police spokesperson, Mr Twaha Kasirye, confirmed the crash and said investigations had commenced.

"I can confirm that five people died and nine survived. Six of the injured were rushed to Kalisizo General Hospital, while others were taken to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital," Mr Kasirye said.

Police towed the wreckage of both vehicles to Kalisizo Police Station for inspection as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.

The crash adds to growing concerns over road safety in Uganda following a rise in traffic fatalities.

According to the 2025 Annual Police Crime Report, road traffic deaths increased to 5,383 in 2025, up from 5,144 in 2024, averaging about 15 deaths per day.

The report shows a steady rise in road fatalities over the past four years, from 4,534 deaths in 2022 to 4,806 in 2023, before climbing further in 2024 and 2025.

Pedestrians remained among the most vulnerable road users, accounting for a significant proportion of fatalities. Police data shows that 43 percent of pedestrian deaths occurred while crossing roads, 32 percent while walking along roadsides, and nine percent while standing by roads.

Weekend travel continued to record the highest number of crashes, with Fridays registering 3,921 incidents, Saturdays 3,913, and Sundays 3,870. Fatalities were also highest on Sundays, with 810 deaths recorded, followed by Saturdays with 729.

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