At least eight people were killed and 37 others injured in a horrific head-on collision between a bus and a truck in central Uganda on Monday.
The devastating accident occurred when the bus driver, reportedly speeding and attempting to overtake another vehicle, lost control and collided with an oncoming truck carrying maize flour.
Local authorities have confirmed the incident and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Regional Police Commander Twaha Kasirye attributed the tragedy to excessive speed, stating that the bus driver was rushing to meet a schedule in the capital, Kampala.
The latest fatality figures highlight a concerning trend in Uganda, with road accidents on the rise.
According to the most recent traffic and safety report, the country has witnessed a 30% increase in road fatalities over the past year, with a staggering 4,179 deaths recorded.
In response to this alarming surge in accidents, the Ugandan government has implemented a series of stringent road safety measures.
These include a dramatic tenfold increase in speeding fines, from $55 to $550, as part of the recently passed Traffic and Road Safety (Amendment) Bill 2023.
Additionally, new speed limits have been imposed, with a maximum of 100 kilometers per hour on highways and 80 kilometers per hour on other roads.