Kigezi Police Raise Alarm Over Rising Road Crashes

What the report says

Police in Kigezi have reported a sharp rise in road crashes over the past two months, saying 10 people died and several others were seriously injured in 26 incidents recorded in the region. The account was given to Nile Post by Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson Nelson Tumushime, who said the crashes included 10 fatal cases, 12 serious crashes and six minor ones.

According to the report, many of the incidents happened on the Kanungu-Rukungiri-Ntungamo and Kabale-Kisoro-Mbarara roads. Police said the trend has prompted stepped-up enforcement against reckless driving and other traffic offences, including speeding, dangerous overtaking, drink-driving, overloading and operating vehicles in poor mechanical condition.

Tumushime cited a recent crash in Rukungiri District in which an Isuzu truck carrying pilgrims reportedly failed to negotiate a corner and collided with a boda boda rider, leaving four people dead and more than 30 injured. The article also mentioned other fatal crashes in Kabale and Rubanda districts, including one involving a runaway trailer and another in which a Toyota Noah crashed, killing a Catholic religious sister and an unidentified man.

Police are urging motorists to drive carefully, service their vehicles regularly and report reckless drivers. Tumushime also called on religious leaders, local leaders and schools to help promote road safety awareness.