EDITOR
Tragedy struck at Nyakabande refugee transit center on Monday afternoon when a 16-year-old Congolese girl lost her life in a fatal accident involving a UNHCR vehicle.
The deceased has been identified as Lydia Mbakemiye, a resident of Kiwamgya in North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the territorial police in Kisoro, the incident occurred on April 21, 2025, at around midday within the compound of the transit center in Kisoro municipality.
The accident involved a white Isuzu FVZ truck, registration number UAU 728X, belonging to UNHCR and driven by 57-year-old Kule Mosheni, a Mukonjo and resident of Mpondwe in Kasese District.
Police reports indicate that the vehicle was en route from the UNHCR offices in Kisoro town to pick up mobile toilets at the transit center. Upon arrival, the driver found the compound crowded with refugees undergoing screening and registration. A path was created for the truck to pass, but as the driver attempted to move, a scuffle erupted among the refugees trying to return to the registration line.
It is alleged that during the commotion, Lydia was pushed backward and accidentally fell under the rear tires of the moving truck. She died instantly.
The scene was visited by ASP Kushaba Michael and his team. The body was conveyed to Kisoro Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination. The vehicle has been impounded at Kisoro Central Police Station pending inspection by the Inspectorate of Vehicles (IOV).
Police say investigations into the incident are ongoing.
