"We are demanding that the Judiciary halts Judge Baguma from this case. A judge accused of bias cannot lawfully continue presiding over a case where the accused formally question his impartiality," Bayiga said.
Cheptegei set a personal best of 58:26 to finish third in a close race. Andreas Almgren of Sweden won gold in 58:06, setting a new European record. Nicholas Kipkorir from Kenya took silver in 58:11.
The Nithi Bridge area has a notorious reputation for road accidents, with previous incidents leading to significant fatalities. For example, on April 7, 2024, four people died and several others were injured when the driver of a Kensilver bus lost control while descending the slope into the infamous spot between Chogoria and Chuka towns in Tharaka Nithi county.
Eyewitnesses linked the fatal accident to reckless driving. The Kampala-Masaka road has been the scene of several crashes in recent years, with poor driving practices and disregard for traffic regulations contributing to the high number of fatalities.
The deceased were taken to the Kyazanga Hospital mortuary, while the survivors were taken to hospitals in Kyazanga, Lyatonde, Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, and a clinic near the Kyazanga Modern Primary School dispensary.