At Least 46 Killed in Bus Collision on Kampala–Gulu Highway

• Oct 22, 2025

At least 46 people have died and several others injured in a tragic multi-vehicle crash along the Kampala–Gulu highway in Uganda early Wednesday morning. The collision, which occurred at Kitaleba Village near Asili Farm, involved four vehicles and has been described by authorities as one of the deadliest road accidents in recent years.

According to the Uganda Police Force, the crash took place when a bus attempting to overtake a lorry collided head-on with another bus traveling from the opposite direction. The vehicles involved were identified as a UBF 614X Isuzu bus (Nile Star Coaches), a UAM 045V Isuzu bus (Planet Company), a UBK 647C Tata lorry, and a CGO 5132AB 07 Toyota Surf.

Preliminary investigations by the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety revealed that the Nile Star Coaches bus, traveling from Kampala towards Gulu, tried to overtake the Tata lorry when the Planet Company bus from the opposite direction also began overtaking a Toyota Surf. The two buses met head-on during the risky maneuvers, resulting in a devastating impact.

SP Michael Kananura, the Police Traffic and Road Safety spokesperson, said one of the drivers swerved in an attempt to avoid a collision, but this caused a head-on and side impact, leading to a chain reaction that made other vehicles lose control and overturn several times.

“As a result, 63 people lost their lives, all occupants of the involved vehicles, while several others sustained injuries,” Kananura said, later clarifying that 46 deaths had been officially confirmed.

The injured were rushed to Kiryandongo Hospital and other nearby medical facilities, while the bodies of the deceased were transported to the same hospital’s mortuary for post-mortem examinations and identification.

The police have launched an investigation into the crash and are urging motorists to drive with caution. Authorities have particularly warned against dangerous and careless overtaking, which remains one of the leading causes of fatal road accidents in Uganda.

“We strongly urge all motorists to exercise maximum caution on the roads, especially avoiding reckless overtaking,” the police statement read.

The Kampala–Gulu highway, a major route linking Uganda’s capital to the north, has been notorious for high-speed crashes. This latest tragedy has once again sparked calls for stricter enforcement of road safety measures across the country.