Seven people perish in Nakasongola accident

At least seven people have died and four others critically injured in an accident in Nakasongola district along Kampala Gulu highway.

The accident involved a taxi registration number UBE 902T Toyota Hiace and trailer SSD 078U/SSD773A all from Kampala city.

The taxi was heading to Kinyogogga sub-county, Nakaseke district whereas the trailer was heading to South Sudan.

The accident occurred at around 8;30pm at Kyampisi village in Kakooge sub-county in Nakasongola district.

Isah Ssemwogerere the Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson says that the taxi rammed into the stationary trailer from behind killing seven passengers on spot and injuring four others.

Ssemwogerere said that Police rushed to the scene and transferred the injured to Nakasongola Health Center IV for treatment.

He added that the dead bodies were also transferred to the mortuary at the same health center but they are yet to be identified.

The wreckage of the taxi was also transferred to Nakasongola Central Police Station.

Eyewitnesses said that the taxi driver was trying to overtake but saw an oncoming bus and stayed in his lane only to ram into the stationary vehicle which he thought was on the move.

Policemen fired live bullets to disperse residents who wanted to beat up the driver of the trailer whom they accused of causing the accident by parking on the road but left no sign for other users.

Fred Rwabirinda the district Councilor of Kinyogogga sub-county said that the dead included the driver and his conductor together with two women and their children who were passengers.

Kampala-Gulu highway is prone to accidents and last week another accident occurred at Lukomera village in Luwero district involving two vehicles and one motorcycle.

The accidents are blamed on overspeeding, reckless driving, and narrow road among other causes.