Two dead, six injured in Masaka -Mbarara road crash in Uganda

Two people have been confirmed dead and six others injured following a Friday evening Masaka - Mbarara road crash.

The crash, which involved a motorcycle registration number UDW 564V and a Toyota Hiace registration number UA 079DC, occurred at Kitasa Village in Lwengo District.

The cyclist, only identified as Moses, died on the spot, and Lan Lukyamuzi, 15, the person he was carrying, died upon arrival at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.

The six injured people who were travelling in the Toyota Hiace van have been identified as retired senior commissioner of Police Godfrey Mwesigwa, 63; Ivan Muhumuza, 6; Noeline Arisha, 10; Jackson Muhereza, 4; Jonathan Mugabire, 2; and Precious Kwesiga, 58, the van driver.

The injured persons are said to have been evacuated to Kampala after getting first aid at a local medical centre in Kyazanga Town. According to Sam Kuteesa, an eyewitness, the cyclist suddenly turned to the right side of the highway without looking to the opposite side, thus ramming into a speeding van.

"The rider died on the spot, and the vehicle turned several times in the process, injuring all the occupants," he said. Southern Regional Police Spokesperson Twaha Kasirye said the bodies of the victims were taken to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem as the investigation into the cause of the crash goes on.

"Both the vehicle and motorcycle have been towed to Kyazanga Police Station for inspection. We continue to urge road users to always be cautious while using the roads to reduce traffic carnage.

Our reports show that the biggest percentage of the accidents is caused by human errors, which are sometimes avoidable," he said.