A devastating crash on the Iganga-Tororo highway Monday night has claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals, according to police reports.
Among the deceased are two taxi drivers whose reckless overtaking allegedly triggered the accident, along with the driver of a tanker involved in the collision.
The incident occurred near Kibimba Bridge around 7:30 pm and involved six vehicles, including heavy goods trucks.
The vehicles involved in the crash include a Mercedes Benz Actros (registration KBJ 156C/ZD 2621), a Mercedes Benz Axor (registration KDY 526G/ZD4391), a Toyota Land Cruiser (registration KDH 407T), two Toyota Hiaces (registrations UAV 597N and UAW 963M), and a tanker loaded with molasses (registration KAE 254C/ZA 5971).
Preliminary findings from the police indicate that all vehicles except the molasses tanker were traveling in the same direction. The tanker, registered as KAE 254C/ZA5971, was heading in the opposite direction towards Iganga.
The collision occurred when the driver of the Toyota Hiace (registration UAW 963M) attempted to overtake a line of vehicles but found himself on a collision course with the tanker approaching from the opposite direction.
In an attempt to avoid a head-on collision, the Hiace driver veered left, unaware that the oncoming vehicle was a tanker carrying molasses.
The rear part of the tanker struck the taxi, causing it to collide with another trailer (registration KBJ 155C/ZD2621 Benz Actros). Subsequently, the tanker overturned and caught fire.
Tragically, ten people lost their lives in the collision, including eight passengers in the taxi, the taxi driver, and the driver of the tanker.
The bodies were transported to Bugiri Hospital Mortuary, while the vehicles involved were towed to Muwayo Police Station for further investigation.
