BUGWERI. Four people have been confirmed dead and others injured following a crash at the Butongole Railway crossing in Bugweri District .
The fatal collision occurred on Saturday, at around 2:50 pm along the Mbale–Tirinyi–Iganga highway in Busembatya.
The crash involved a commuter taxi, registration number UBN 282J, and an oncoming train.
Preliminary findings by the Bugweri territorial police indicate that the vehicle, whose driver remains unidentified, was heading toward Mbale when it reached the railway crossing and collided with the moving train.
The impact sent the vehicle rolling multiple times.
Three people died instantly, while a fourth victim was pronounced dead upon arrival at Iganga Main Hospital. Several other passengers sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at the same hospital.
Traffic police quickly responded, retrieving the bodies and clearing the scene to restore normal traffic flow. The deceased have been taken to the Iganga Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash, including whether the driver disregarded railway safety signals.
“We implore motorists and other road users to always adhere to railway crossing signals,” said ASP Michael Kasadha, the Busoga East Regional Police Spokesperson.
He stressed that heightened caution at railway intersections is essential to preventing such avoidable tragedies.