A tragic road accident that claimed three lives and left six others injured on the Ntungamo-Mbarara highway has raised fresh concerns about driver accountability and the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
The crash occurred on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in the afternoon in Rucece and involved a Fuso Fighter truck (registration number UBF 727S), a Toyota Wish (registration number UBL 839Q), and a motorcycle (registration number UFF 926Q).
Preliminary findings from the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety indicate that the Fuso truck, traveling from Ntungamo towards Mbarara, attempted to overtake a motorcycle moving in the same direction. In the process, it knocked the motorcycle, lost control, overturned, and crossed into the opposite lane, colliding with an oncoming Toyota Wish.
The collision led to the immediate deaths of three individuals, all of whom were traveling in the Fuso truck. Six others, including the truck driver, three passengers in the Toyota Wish, and both the motorcycle rider and passenger, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for treatment.
SP Michael Kananura, Community Liaison Officer in the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, attributed the accident to reckless and negligent driving, emphasizing that the Fuso driver’s irresponsible overtaking triggered the chain of events.
“This tragic incident is yet another example of what happens when drivers disregard basic traffic rules and safety precautions,” Kananura said. “The Fuso driver failed to assess the risk, endangered other road users, and must be held accountable.”
He called for stronger enforcement of road safety laws, including regular patrols, stiffer penalties for reckless driving, and stricter licensing standards to ensure that only qualified and responsible drivers are on the road.
“We cannot continue to lose lives because of bad decisions behind the wheel. Law enforcement must be firm, and drivers must understand that traffic rules exist to save lives,” SP Kananura added.
The crash comes amid growing concern over rising road fatalities across the country, with overtaking errors, speeding, and poor driver discipline frequently cited as leading causes.
Road safety advocates are urging the government to invest in improved highway surveillance, install speed monitoring systems, and launch aggressive public awareness campaigns to combat road carnage.
As investigations into the Rucece – Ntungamo crash continue, police have vowed to take action against any individuals found culpable, reinforcing their commitment to reducing preventable deaths on Uganda’s roads.
