EDITOR
At least 18 passengers sustained injuries in a serious road accident involving a Gateway Bus along the Kabale-Kisoro highway on Tuesday morning.
The accident, which occurred at around 10:50 am at Chanakye Red Corner in Kanaba Sub-county, Kisoro District, involved a white Scania bus, registration number UBK 804Y, belonging to Gateway Bus Services. The bus, which was reportedly carrying 60 passengers from Kabale to Kisoro, failed to negotiate a steep corner after experiencing brake failure, causing it to overturn.
According to Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson ASP Elly Maate, preliminary findings indicate that the bus lost control while descending a slope at Chanakye trading center. The driver, identified as Julius Owoyesigire, 40, a resident of Nyabihoko in Ntungamo District, reportedly applied the brakes too late, leading to the crash.
Among the injured are:
- Byarugaba Francis (46) – Mutorele, Kisoro
- Muhawenimana Ketra (19) – Bunagana, Kisoro
- Ntezimana Martin (42) – Bunagana, Kisoro
- Bonabana Suzan (39) – Kasambya, Mubende
- Nakimuri Prossy (38) – Kasambya, Mubende
- Nteziyaremye Samuel (40) – Bunagana, Kisoro
- Nakawesa Florence (27) – Entebbe
- Tushemerirwe Gladith (48) – Kanungu
- Ntakiyinanira Promise (21) – Nyarusiza, Kisoro
- Byukusenge Ezira (23) – Muramba, Kisoro
- Barikamanya Debra (35) – Kisoro Town
- Kwagara Faith (9)
- Higa Charles (45) – Kampala
- Mujawimana Janet (25) – Kanaba, Kisoro
- Kwesiga Joseph (25) – Gayaza, Kampala
- Twisenge Ivan (24) – Nyakabande, Kisoro
- Athieno Bibian (29) – Tororo
- An unnamed 8-month-old baby
Out of the 18 victims, three sustained serious injuries while fifteen suffered minor injuries. All were rushed to various health facilities in Kisoro for treatment.
Police officers led by ASP Michael Kushaba responded to the scene, documented the incident, and arranged for the vehicle to be towed to Kisoro Central Police Station pending inspection by the Inspector of Vehicles.
Authorities cite brake failure and excessive speed as the likely causes of the crash. Investigations are ongoing.
