Transport along the vital Gulu-Nimule Highway was paralysed for several hours on Saturday after two cargo trailers collided head-on and instantly burst into flames at Awer Trading Centre, Lamogi Sub-County, in Amuru District.
The 10am crash involved a trailer bound for Juba, South Sudan, and another heading toward Gulu from the South Sudanese border. According to eyewitnesses, one of the trailers suddenly swerved off its lane, crashing directly into the oncoming vehicle. One of the trucks was reportedly transporting a heavy cargo of steel.
The impact triggered a massive fire that consumed both vehicles. While the Police Fire Brigade managed to extinguish the inferno, the wreckage blocked the highway, causing massive traffic gridlock.
A police officer at the scene, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that no casualties had been confirmed by press time. However, the whereabouts of the drivers and any potential occupants remain unknown.
“We are still waiting for a comprehensive report from the traffic officers deployed at the scene,” said David Ongom, the Aswa West Regional Police Spokesperson when contacted by this reporter for a comment.
The Gulu-Nimule Highway serves as a critical economic artery, linking Uganda to South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Tanzania. Despite its economic importance, the corridor is a notorious hotspot for severe traffic crashes. Authorities frequently attribute the incidents to reckless driving and driver fatigue resulting from long-distance travel.
The crash underscores ongoing concerns regarding road safety in Uganda, even amid broader statistical improvements. According to the newly released 2025 Police Annual Crime Report, the country recorded 322,441 traffic-related cases last year—marking a notable decrease from the 426,432 cases documented in 2024.