Police have named seven members of the same family who died in a tragic road crash on the Masaka-Mbarara highway in Lwengo District on Saturday morning .
The 4:30 am crash occurred at Njagalakasayi Village and claimed a father, his wife and their children.
According to southern regional Police Spokesperson, Twaha Kasirye, the crash involved a silver Fuso truck, registration number UBP 510V and a silver Toyota Fielder, registration number UBH 476W.
Kasirye said all seven deceased were family members travelling in the Toyota Fielder from Kampala.
Police identified the deceased as Ivan Niwagaba, 38; Brenda Ainembabazi, 37; Turihohabwe Sayuni, 39; Keith Agaba, 10; Keitha Atuhire, Masaiko Kenene, 5 and Keron Agaba, 2.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the Toyota Fielder, which was travelling from Masaka towards Mbarara, crossed into the opposite lane and collided head-on with the oncoming Fuso truck that was heading towards Masaka.
“The impact was fatal. Four occupants of the Toyota Fielder died instantly at the scene. During subsequent rescue and recovery operations, three more bodies were retrieved from inside the same vehicle, bringing the total number of fatalities to seven,” SP Kasirye said.
Traffic officers responded promptly, secured the scene, and restored traffic flow along the highway.
Both vehicles were towed to the police station pending inspection by the Inspector of Vehicles (IOV), while the bodies were conveyed to Masaka City Mortuary for postmortem examinations.
Police have attributed the crash to suspected reckless driving, although investigations are still ongoing.
Kasirye urged road users to observe traffic regulations, drive responsibly, and exercise extra caution, especially during the festive season.