First responders and survivors stand near the burning wreckage of the bus and truck, which collided
At least six people have been confirmed dead and seven others critically injured following a grisly early morning crash along the Kiboga–Hoima highway in Kyankwanzi District.
The 4 am Sunday crash at Kyakabuga village happened when a Sky Coaches bus registration number UBQ 595G, travelling from Kampala to Hoima, collided with a Fuso Fighter truck, registration number UBF 541C, which was reportedly transporting charcoal from the Hoima direction.
According to the police, the impact triggered a fire that engulfed both vehicles, reducing them to wreckage and trapping some of the occupants inside.
Police said six people died on the spot, two from the bus and four from the truck, while seven survivors sustained critical injuries.
Wamala Region Police spokesperson SSP Lameck Kigozi identified two of the deceased as Muhumuza Gerald, 40, the driver of the bus and a resident of Hoima West Division, and Linongola Matsukizo, 47, a Congolese national and businesswoman.
Four other victims, all occupants of the Fuso truck, had not yet been identified by press time.
The bodies were conveyed to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital mortuary pending postmortem, while the injured were rushed to Kikonda Health Centre III for emergency treatment.
Rescue teams from Kyankwanzi and Hoima districts, with support from a fire brigade unit from Hoima, responded to the scene and managed to extinguish the blaze.
By the time of filing this report, the wreckage of the two vehicles was still at the scene. Traffic flow along the busy highway remained partially disrupted, with motorists advised to exercise caution when approaching the crash scene at Kyakabuga.
Police said investigations into the cause of the crash were ongoing.
“Our hearts are with the bereaved families and those injured in this tragic incident,” SSP Kigozi said.
