RIP!! Nine Killed As Taxi Rams Into Stationary Truck Along Jinja – Iganga Highway

In a tragic incident, a speeding Toyota Hiace taxi collided with a stationary trailer on the Jinja-Iganga highway, resulting in the loss of nine lives.The accident occurred at Musita, Mayuge district, when a taxi bearing the registration number UBE 939H, en route from Kampala to Iganga, collided with a stationary trailer marked as RAC603Q/ RL1055.

The trailer was also bound for Iganga but had experienced a mechanical breakdown.Michael Kananura, the traffic police spokesperson, disclosed that the trailer had broken down along the highway due to a mechanical fault, and it had not displayed any emergency warning signs or reflectors to caution other road users.

Among the victims are Nangobi Filide, 35, a resident of Kaliro town council, and her two-year-old child, Brenda Naigembe. Opio Moses, 37, a Kampala resident with a home in Naluwerere, Bugiri district, and Mirembe Rachel, 35, from Kaliro town council. Sseruwaji Lukman, 23, a resident of Busei central, Iganga, was originally born in Luwewo, Bombo, Wakamukasa zone. Other casualties include Isabirye Peter Oketch, also known as Peter Lupiira, the taxi driver from Buwongo, Bugweri district, Alex Wanjala, and Nantale Aisha, 27, a resident of Bulanga Nantamu zone in Luuka district.

Nantale Aisha was the wife of a local artiste, Luwangula Sharif, alias Excel J.The bodies of the deceased have been transported to the Iganga general hospital mortuary for a postmortem examination. Meanwhile, six other passengers traveling in the same vehicle sustained severe injuries and are presently undergoing treatment at the Jinja Regional Referral Hospital.

The police have taken custody of the wreckage and towed it to Mayuge central police station parking yard, awaiting inspection by experts from the traffic department.Emmanuel Mukisa, the mayor of Bulanga town council, expressed concern over the lack of proper lighting in the area and the absence of reflectors on the stationary truck.

He emphasized that the truck had encountered mechanical issues, and the driver had abandoned it on the highway without taking appropriate safety measures.The incident has sparked concerns within the community, prompting questions about the necessity of reflectors on vehicles. Buyinza Wilberforce Telime, a leader in the Iganga taxi park, mentioned that they had heard Speaker of Parliament Anita Among call for urgency in towing disabled vehicles on the roads to prevent accidents.

They hope that this directive will be implemented.Diana Nandawula, the Busoga East Region police spokesperson, asserted that the taxi was speeding and urged all road users to adhere to traffic rules and regulations to prevent such tragedies.