By Joseph Kiggundu
OMORO, Uganda – Fourteen people have been confirmed dead and 28 others injured following a fatal road crash involving an Opit Travellers bus and a trailer at Bobi Trading Centre along the Kampala–Gulu Highway in Omoro District.
According to the Uganda Police Traffic Directorate, the accident occurred on July 7, 2026, at around 9:34 p.m. and involved motor vehicle registration number UBE 110H, an Isuzu bus belonging to Opit Travellers Company, and motor vehicle registration number KBS 564D/ZE 7948, a Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the bus driver, who was reportedly speeding, attempted to avoid a pedestrian crossing the road at Bobi Trading Centre. In the process, the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided head-on with the oncoming trailer.
Police said 14 people died as a result of the crash, while 28 others sustained injuries. The injured victims were rushed to various medical facilities for treatment as emergency responders and local residents worked to rescue passengers from the wreckage.
The crash, which occurred at night along one of Uganda’s busiest highways, caused panic among travellers and residents in the area. Traffic was temporarily disrupted as rescue teams and police officers cleared the scene and assisted victims.
Traffic police spokesperson SP Michael Kananura confirmed the incident and said investigations into the exact circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing.
He urged motorists to observe speed limits, particularly during the night when visibility is reduced, and advised drivers to exercise extra caution when passing through trading centres where pedestrian movement is common.
“Drivers are reminded to remain vigilant, anticipate pedestrian movement in trading centres and always drive at speeds that allow them to stop safely,” Kananura said.
The latest tragedy adds to growing concerns over road safety on the Kampala–Gulu Highway, a major transport corridor that has witnessed several fatal accidents in recent years.
Police have appealed to all road users to adhere to traffic regulations and exercise caution to help reduce road crashes and save lives.